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How To Write A: Walking Bass Line

The document provides a 4-step method for writing walking bass lines. Step 1 is to write out the chord progression. Step 2 is to write the root note of each chord on the downbeat of each bar. Step 3 is to write either the fifth scale degree, or a half step below or above, on the last beat of each bar to connect to the next chord. Step 4 is to fill in the rest of the notes between in a melodic and deliberate manner. The document also provides examples of common bass lines that connect chords a fourth or fifth apart.

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Shreyans Jain
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716 views

How To Write A: Walking Bass Line

The document provides a 4-step method for writing walking bass lines. Step 1 is to write out the chord progression. Step 2 is to write the root note of each chord on the downbeat of each bar. Step 3 is to write either the fifth scale degree, or a half step below or above, on the last beat of each bar to connect to the next chord. Step 4 is to fill in the rest of the notes between in a melodic and deliberate manner. The document also provides examples of common bass lines that connect chords a fourth or fifth apart.

Uploaded by

Shreyans Jain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HOW TO

WRITE A
Walking
Bass Line

QUICKGUIDE
THE 4 STEP METHOD
Our basic method for bass line construction is pretty straightforward. We’ll keep
our rhythms simple for now: one note per beat. On the downbeat, we’re going to
play the root; and on the last beat of each bar, we’re going to play a chromatic
approach tone leading into the next root, or it’s corresponding fifth. How you
connect the first and last note of each bar is up to you, but we’ll look at a few
common lines for guidance!

STEP 1 Write out a chord progression (and be sure to leave room for the
notes)

STEP 2 On the downbeat of every bar, write in the corresponding root (if
there is more than one chord per bar, write in the root on the first
beat the chord is introduced)

STEP 3 On the last beat of each bar, choose one of three options:


the fifth scale degree of the following note
a half step below the following note
or a half step above the following note

When there is more than one chord in a bar, you only have room
to fill in the root and the linking tone, so you don’t have to worry
about adding anything else!

STEP 4 Fill in the blanks! Be melodic, be creative, and be deliberate

All right, now we can start walking! Just be sure you don’t overlook the first step.
It’s important to actually write your bass lines down, because it helps you visualize
the line and the harmony. Composing on paper can also challenge your
perspective and expose bad habits, so don’t neglect that pad of staff paper sitting
on your music stand…

HOW TO WRITE A WALKING BASS LINE | QUICK GUIDE


COMMON LINES
Now that we know how to create bass
lines, let’s look at some popular  bread
and butter bass lines (you’ll want to
memorize these in all keys).Chords that
move up a fourth are quite prevalent  in
jazz, and here are some great ways to
connect them.

Here are several strong lines that connect two chords a fifth apart from one
another.

What other chord progressions do


you come across often? Try writing
out several lines that clearly define
the progression and start using
them as you play!  And don’t forget
to transcribe bass lines; you’ll learn
all sorts of clever ways to connect
chords, express harmony, and
groove!

HOW TO WRITE A WALKING BASS LINE | QUICK GUIDE

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