Walking Bass Lines

By Per Danielsson
When accompanying by using walking bass lines, you can turn the piano into an entire rhythm section. Except for the guitar, piano is the only instrument that has this unique capability. The right hand will supply the harmony and the left is doing the job of the bass player. If both hands are played rhythmically perfect we can also assume the role of a drummer. In order to create a strong harmonic sense the bass lines have to be harmonically solid. This is where the solo pianist has an advantage, since the right hand always knows what the left hand is doing. It is easy to use the exact same changes, creating the effect of a well rehearsed rhythm section. This is especially fun when you improvise chord substitutions. This article will introduce you to some basic concepts for playing bass lines. I recommend taking the time to transcribe some lines by skilled bass players. It will help you improve your understanding of walking bass lines and how they are played. Bass lines over a ii-V-I progression.

&4 w 4 w w w ?4 4 #
4 & 4 ww bw w ?4 4 #
C7

Dmin7

G13

CMaj7

w ww w #

w w w w w

&4 w 4 w w w ?4 4
Dmin7

G13

CMaj7

ww w w

w w w w

Dominant chord bass line.

w w b ww

w b ww w

# w

4 & 4 ww bw w ?4 4 b b

C7

w w b ww

w w b ww

Major chord bass line.

4 & 4 ww w w ?4 4 #

CMaj7

ww w w

w w ww

# w

& 4 ww 4 w w ?4 4

CMaj7

ww w w

w w ww

b w

1. Octave leap. The octave leap is used to keep the bass line in a good sounding register.

&4 4

ww w w w b ww w w ww w b b ww w w ? 4 # # bw 4
Octave leap using the 5th in the middle.

Dmin7

ww w w

G13

Cmin7

F13

B Maj7

2. Chromatic approach tones. You can create a flowing bass line by using chromatic approach tones. This works because of a constant feel of tension and release. Notice the tri-tone intervals.

4 &4 # ?4 4 b b
Tri-tone

C9

A7

Dm in9

G13

E7( 9) A13

Dm in9

G13

C9

# # # n

w w w

b
TT

b b b b w
TT TT TT TT

Blues in F.

4 & b 4 b ww w w ? 4 b 4 b
F13

w w bw b b ww bw w
B 13

B 13

b ww w w b
D7(# 9) F9

F13

b ww w w n
E9

F13

& b ww bw w ? b # &b w ww w ? b n
Gm7 C7

B 13

b
E 9

D9

b
b A7 13

# #
G13

b b bb

# b

C7(# 9)

F13

w # w w b b

n # b

n b

w ww bw w

Analyze this excercise: Where are the octave leaps? Locate the tri-tone intervals. Locate the chromatic approach tones. Practice Hints: Play the bass line legato. Practice with a metronome. Play the bass line together with a repeated comping pattern in the right hand. Comping Pattern 2.

Comping Pattern 1.

4 &4 J ? bb 4 4 ? bb ? bb
C7 B Maj7

J
E 7

4 &4 J

n n
b

#
C7

b #
Cmin7

A 7

G7

n #
F7

# n
b

E 7

G7

B Maj7

A 7

F7

b
b

n
B Maj7

# #

? bb ? bb ? bb

C min7

B Maj7

#
b

E 7

C7

n
D7( 9)

#
Gmin7

Am7( 5)

b b

D7( 9)

Gmin7

Am7( 5)

n
b

# #

F7

Am7( 5)

D7( 9)

Gmin7

G7

? bb ? bb

B Maj7

n #

F7

A 7

b
b

C min7

B Maj7