The job of the bass player is to outline the harmony of a song, by following and ‘sounding out’ the chord changes. Walking Bass is one of the best techniques to learn how to do this properly and one that will also have huge benefits to your all-round playing. Walking up and down leads the ear from one chord to the next and helps to create a momentum that really drives the music forwards. We look at how to build walking bass lines that are easy to play, but that sound great and look at the techniques that will allow you to best play them. For those who attended our earlier such session, this session uses totally different material and looks at alternative approaches; if you missed the previous session, its materials are available to buy as prep – check below.
The bass guitarist always (unless they’re taking a solo!) follows the chord progressions but this can sound a little mechanical. There are ways to drive the music forward by linking the chords i.e. walking the bass lines up and down to the next chord. The ‘walk’ can consist of using notes in the key with a metronomic feel or maybe some chromatic notes thrown in with a rhythmic groove.
The aim is to give the music forward, step-by-step motion and make it more interesting for the audience (and bass player). You will learn how to construct walking bass lines that sound great. The key to this style of playing is to create lines that continually rise and fall. The ‘walk’ can consist of chord notes (arpeggios), scale notes and chromatic notes that when combined properly, will produce lines that will really give the music a lift. Adding in some rhythm, can enhance your lines even more. It’s a Funky technique that’s used widely in Blues, Jazz, Funk and Rock music.
We look at the approach and techniques used to build and play walking bass lines to give the music a real lift. In detail we take a close look at:
This session follows on from an earlier session on Walking Bass Lines. This next step session covers new approaches to the previous session. The materials for this previous sessions are available to purchase as prep. See the buying options below.
High Beginner to Intermediate bass players (and guitarists).
We ran a similar session back in August. If you missed this session, it is ideal materials as prep for this latest course. Check out option 3 when booking.
The session is 60 minutes long; don’t expect to master everything during the session. The tutor will go through all the key parts, demonstrating them and discussing the associated techniques and know-how.
The real work is done by you afterwards. Armed with the materials (PDFs, backing tracks and video recording), you’ll have all the tools to work on things at your own pace.
When you book you’ll have two options:
1. You want to join the live Zoom session.
You’ll receive the joining instructions on the day. Being live, you’ll be able to put your own questions directly to the tutor during the session. Choose option 1, Live lesson and materials.
2. Maybe you’d like to attend but can’t make it on this occasion?
You can buy the materials and receive them after the session (i.e. lesson PDF(s) and access to a Zoom recording of the live session). Choose option 2, Materials only.
3. As disussed earlier, if you’re interested in prep materials, we the materials for our previous sessions are available (PDF, backing tracks and a Zoom recording of the complete live session). Choose option 3. Previous session’s materials as prep.