Bass: Walking Bass

The following exercises demonstrate different approaches for developing a walking bass vocabulary. The notes are only written to show the principles of each exercise. You should practice each exercise with real standards. Focus on consistently applying the particular principle first, then experiment, mix it with other approaches and find your own variations.

Chromatic Approach Below — Chromatic Approach Below
Approach the next chord by playing a note a half-tone below the root of the following chord.

Chromatic Approach Above — Chromatic Approach Above
Approach the next chord by playing a note a half-tone above the root of the following chord.

Diatonic Approach Below — Diatonic Approach Below
Approach the next chord by playing a diatonic note below the root of the following chord.

Diatonic Approach Above — Diatonic Approach Above
Approach the next chord by playing a diatonic note above the root of the following chord.

Descending Fifth Approach Below — Descending Fifth Approach Below
Approach the next chord by playing the fifth of the root of the following chord.

Descending Fifth Approach Above — Descending Fifth Approach Above
Approach the next chord by playing the fifth of the root of the following chord.

Thirds — Thirds
Focus on the thirds when building lines.

Fifths — Fifths
Focus on the fifths when building lines.

Starting on the Third — Starting on the Third
Start each chord on the third.

Starting on the Fifth — Starting on the Fifth
Start each chord on the fifth.

Sevenths — Sevenths
Focus on the sevenths when building lines.

Triads — Triads
Play the underlying triads. Break the triad in different places and vary the note order.

Seventh Chords — Seventh Chords
Play the underlying seventh chords. Break the chords in different places and vary the note order.

Scales — Scales
Try to fill the bars by playing the scales of the chords. Add chromatic passing notes where necessary. Use any of the approach notes of the first six exercises.

Chromatic Passing Notes in Major — Chromatic Passing Notes in Major
In this example, a chromatic passing note is added between the perfect 5th and the major 6th.

Chromatic Passing Notes in Mixolydian — Chromatic Passing Notes in Mixolydian
In mixolydian, you can add a chromatic passing note between the minor 7th and the root.

Chromatic Passing Notes in Dorian — Chromatic Passing Notes in Dorian
In dorian minor, you can add a chromatic passing note between the minor 7th and the root when ascending and between the major 6th and the perfect 5th when descending.

Close Movement

Try playing the changes while keeping the movement to a minimum.

Close Chromatic Movement

Try playing the changes while keeping the movement to a minimum and using chromatic notes to connect the important notes.

Rhythmic Variation 1 — Rhythmic Variation 1
Add some rhythmic variation by adding an eighth note here and there. Be tasteful. If you overdo it, it will sound bumpy. The main information is still the quarter note pulse, and your variations shouldn’t detract from it.

Rhythmic Variation 2: Open Strings — Rhythmic Variation 2: Open Strings
Utilise the open string below for rhythmic variation. The notes on the open string should have a percussive quality, so you can use it even if it doesn’t exactly fit the chord your playing.

Rhythmic Variation 3 — Rhythmic Variation 3
This is a variation using 8-5-1.

Rhythmic Variation 4 — Rhythmic Variation 4
Play some descending triplets.