Instructor
Jonny May
Quick Tip
Intermediate
14:23

Learning Focus
  • Basslines
Music Style
  • Jazz Swing
Free Lessons

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Want to learn how to play walking bass lines that actually sound good?

I put together a new lesson that starts with one simple exercise and builds from there.

The cool thing about this exercise is that it works over a chord progression you’ll find in tons of songs, including Cheek to Cheek, I Got Rhythm, and Let’s Fall in Love.

We’ll start with a simple bass line using upper neighbor notes to walk into each chord.

Then we’ll add some swing.

Then triplets.

By the end, you’ll have a pretty serious walking bass line under your fingers.

And one of the biggest things I want you to do is take these exercises into different keys. That’s where you really start building the ability to walk bass lines through actual songs instead of just memorizing one pattern.

Give it a try and see how far you can take it.


Writer
Jonny May

Jonathan May is a pianist from Southern California who specializes in many styles of piano. At age eighteen, Jonny became the youngest pianist to perform at Disneyland. Each week he entertained thousands of guests with his arrangements of American classics and Disney songs. Jonny has also performed with the Youtube...

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