Slow & Steady

During the next several months, we're going to work on walking-bass lines, with each lesson getting progressively harder. However, this lesson will be "Slow & Steady".

StaffTab: slownsteady.pdf
Audio: slownsteady.mp3

On the Stick, bass parts typically take the form of accents, rhythmic pulses, arpeggios, or motors - moving through chord changes, as required by the music. By themselves, these kinds of bass parts are not necessarily difficult to play. The trouble arises when you start adding RH parts. For most, this hurdle is overcome with patience, persistence, and practice.

Walking bass lines differ from the above, in that, their movement is constant and often counter to the direction your RH needs to go. To make matters worse, your LH frequently needs to climb up and down the Touchboard, while your eyes are focused elsewhere. So, let's focus on that aspect.

For this exercise, I wrote a RH arpeggio that does not change hand position. Hopefully, this will make it easier to concentrate on the LH. The first measure begins with two pick-up notes that start the arpeggio and this flurry of notes continues until the last measure. At measure 6, the arpeggio changes a bit and with measures 10-17 - the two arpeggios are combined to make a longer phrase. The last four measures tag out the exercise and this arpeggio differs from the rest.

For the LH, the bass are root-five combinations as they progress through the chord changes. Your LH will repeatedly traverse up the Touchboard (down in pitch). Every four measures complete the pattern.

Practice this exercise three ways. First, let your eyes give exclusive attention to your LH and allow your RH to make mistakes. Second, once you feel comfortable landing the LH changes, give exclusive attention to your RH - allowing LH mistakes. Finally, and at some point, you should be able to practice this blindfolded.

Ultimately, you want the ability to substitute the arpeggios for a melody or improvise over the bass line. Which is what I did with my version of "Moondance", using a similar bass line and chord progression. Once your LH knows the pattern, your RH will be free.

Chris
www.ChrisCrain.com