Re: constructing bass lines

Joel White ( jwhite@opacum.knosses.tufts.edu )
Fri, 23 May 97 08:59:57 -0400

Marc (sirmlb1@ix.netcom.com) asked about bass lines. I would recommend two
books by Ed Friedland: Building Walking Basslines and Expanding Walking
Basslines. Both books have an audio supplement (CD now, I believe). The
first book starts at the beginning (just the roots, man), using primarily
blues and rhythm changes for examples. Ed teaches a target/approach method,
and as you progress through the book, you gradually add dominant, chromatic,
and scalar approaches (on 'weak beats' 2 and 4) to connect chordal target
tones (on 'strong beats' 1 and 3). The first book contains numerous written
examples, plus recorded versions without a written line, so you can listen and
transcribe (notice the smooth tie-in with another popular thread on this
list!). The first book ends with ten 'standards' that you can transcribe and
learn from.

The second book starts with rhythm studies to add rhythmic variety to your
lines (the first book focusses solely on quarter note lines), then moves into
additional harmonic possibilities, touching on modal tunes and playing
'outside'. It also ends with standards, plus three 'mystery tunes' that you
work out by ear (a likely scenario for bass players at jams).

I like these books. The first has helped solidify ideas I had from various
other sources (haven't made it far into the second book, though). If you work
through it, I think you will have a firm foundation in walking. Plus, it'll
help your reading (something that I hadn't done before much).

BTW, Ed has mentioned Paul Chambers as a listening source on another email
list. I began transcribing the line from 'Oleo' with Miles Davis (um, on one
of the Workin', Relaxin', Steamin', Cookin' discs - very fast, but everyone
but the bass and the soloist lays out during the A parts) and the things that
Ed teaches in the first book are all in there! Quite enlightening.

Hope this helps,

Joel