I use chord tones when constructing walking bass lines. Some examples are:
major - 1 2 3 5 6
minor - 1 2 b3 5 7
major 7th - 1 2 3 5 7
minor 7th - 1 2 b3 5 b7
diminished - 1 b3 b5 bb7
augmented - 1 3 #5 (#7 or 8)
Some chromatasism (sp?) are good too:
1 3 4 #4 5 6 #6 7 8
While starting each new chord on 1 defines the chord change, sometimes start on
3 or 5. This makes the walking lines more interesting.
When approaching a chord change, approach the first note of the new chord by:
- a half step or step above
- a half step or step below
- if you plan to play a 1 as the first note of the new chord,
you can approach from the 5 of the new chord
Some example lines over | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | are:
1 2 3 5 | 1 7 5 3
1 8 1 3 | 1 3 5 7
1 3 5 7 | 5 7 8 5
I view building walking bass lines as sort of a solo in mostly quarter notes.
I try to vary each time through the chord changes.
More!!!
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I have purchased a garage sale trumpet ($15) last Nov. and have become good
enough to play about an octave and a half. I hope someday to make the trumpet
my first instument and electric bass my second. Is there any trumpet players
out there that I could ask some trumpet related questions off the list?
Joe
(PS - I think this list is great! I have learned so much about music and jazz
from everybody's posts. You do a great job Reed.)