Walkin' the Line

Continuing with my walking bass series, this month we're going to be "Walkin' the Line". I wrote the exercise with two distinct sections and a common bass line throughout. In the first section, the RH plays a rhythmic role and in the second, the RH plays a phrase.

StaffTab: walkinline.pdf
Audio: walkinline.mp3

Practice only the first section (measures 2-11) as you work on developing your walking bass. When you are comfortable with the first section, practice the second.

Measure 1 starts off with some "pick-up" notes (also in mm. 11 & 21). Pay attention to your LH fingering as you come into the 2nd measure. Measures 2 & 3 represent the bass line that's used throughout. Open your LH out and get use to the fingering/pattern.

The RH's rootless Cm7 should pose no problem, since it's played on the downbeat of its respective measures. However, the rhythmic challenge will be playing the RH Fm7. These chords anticipate the downbeat of the succeeding bass note. Remember, the bass line is steady and needs to stay that way.

In measures 10 & 11, we break up the phrase and play full chords with both hands. Nothing special here, except that everything is played off the beat (excluding the first Cm7).

Measure 12 starts off the second section. The bass line is the same as before, as well as the last two measures of this section (mm. 20-21). What you will work on here is playing a simple melody over the bass line. I apologize in advance if this turns your brain to goo. Although your RH plays in one position for the melody, it must shift out of place to play the chords in the break.

Measure 22 returns to the rhythm part used earlier and finishes the tune. Once you've conquered this tune, change the melody or extend that section and improvise over it. Make it your own and have fun.

Chris
www.ChrisCrain.com