Walking Bassline Part 1, Part 2
Listen to virtually any jazz recording and you will hear it: the quarter note bassline walking up and down the scale providing both rhythm and harmony. This is the walking bassline and it is one of the defining elements of jazz. Playing a walking bassline over any set of changes is an essential skill not only for every bass player but for every pianist too. You will use the walking bassline in duos with other instrumentalists, to accompany singers and, most importantly, to earn more money by not having to hire a bass player for every gig! Watch this lesson to learn about the components that make up the walking bassline and how to put them together to construct authentic sounding walking basslines.

Lesson Stats
When added: 04/11/08; Duration: Part 1, 12 minutes; Part 2, 15 minutes.

Prerequisites
Intermediate to advanced keyboard proficiency. Ability to read notation. These lessons are good prerequisites: The 5 Essential 7th Chords, The Major ii-V-I Progression, The Minor ii-V-i Progression, The Four Components of Melodic Construction.

Quiz
Quiz 1: Chordscale Review Quiz
Quiz 2: Practice Building Walking Basslines Quiz

Practice Sessions & Playalongs
Practice Session 1: Write out and play chordscales for major ii-V-I progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 2: Write out and play chordscales for major ii-V-I progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 3: Write out and play chordscales for minor ii-V-i progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 4: Write out and play chordscales for minor ii-V-i progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 5: Write out and play walking basslines for major ii-V-I progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 6: Write out and play walking basslines for major ii-V-I progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 7: Write out and play walking basslines for minor ii-V-i progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 8: Write out and play walking basslines for minor ii-V-i progressions in six keys.
Practice Session 9: Write out and play a walking bassline for a blues progression in Bb.
Practice Session 10: Write out and play a walking bassline for the chord progression to Autumn Leaves.
Practice Session 11: Write out and play a walking bassline for the chord progression to Rhythm Changes.
Practice Session 12: Improvise walking basslines for tunes in the Real Book.

Includes play-alongs for all practice sessions in MIDI, Band-in-a-Box and GarageBand formats.

Resources for further Listening and Reading
Check out these featured books and recordings.