Walking Bass Lines

By: James Duclos

If you have ever listened to any Jazz music, you probably know what a walking bass line sounds like (you just might not know the proper name for it). The walking bass line can be found in many different music styles, such as rock, blues, country, and others. The distinguishing sound of the walking bass line is the simplicity of the rhythm and the notes that are used.

The rhythm of a walking bass line is usually un-syncopated (anything other than quarter notes) and quarter notes. Walking lines will follow the chord changes of the chart and walk up and down the corresponding scale. For example, if your chord progression is G C B D and your song is in the key of G major, a walking bass line could follow these notes: G A B D C D E C B C G C D C B A.

The object of a walking bass line is to play the scale that corresponds to the changes you are following. So, if your changes are G C B D as before, then for the measure of G you will walk the G major scale (assuming that the key of the song is G major). In the measure of C, you will play the pattern of G major, but only from C to C. If you are familiar with modes, this would be G Lydian mode. In the measure of B, you play the G major scale but only B to B or the G Phrygian mode. And finally, in the D measure, you play G Mixolydian mode, or use the G major scale to play from D to D.

Walking bass lines are great to use when the bass player needs to hold down the tempo. Big, heavy, and deliberate quarter notes are the best way to keep the band on beat when things become a bit sticky. Walking bass lines are also a great way to lead into a new section of the song. For example, at the end of the chorus, you could walk up a scale and hit the resolving tone of the verse. The resolving tone is the note or chord that is played in the next measure.

When you are in a group that allows you to play walking bass lines, it allows you to use improvisation (creating your own music as you go). As long as you can follow the changes and play the root notes at each change, you can improvise whatever notes you want to play between the roots. You can even add in some chromatics as well. For the most part, physically playing walking bass lines is easy. It is the space for imagination that will set you apart from the average bass player. With only quarter notes to work with, it can be difficult to set yourself apart from a myriad of bass players who also use walking bass lines. So, if you are up for the challenge, start practicing walking bass lines today!