Mastering walking bass lines – Tips, exercises, and inspirations

[Greg Percifield]

Hello fellow jazz pianists!

Walking bass lines are a fundamental part of jazz, often used in solo piano playing and piano trio settings to provide a solid rhythmic and harmonic foundation. Mastering walking bass lines on the piano can add depth and interest to your playing, while also enhancing your ability to accompany other musicians.

In this thread, let’s discuss tips, exercises, and inspirations for mastering walking bass lines on the piano. Share your experiences, challenges, and any advice you might have on this topic.

To start off, check out this insightful video by Aimee Nolte, in which she demonstrates how to create walking bass lines on the piano:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelAHO4IKGw

In the video, Aimee shares some valuable tips for creating effective walking bass lines:

Follow the chord progression: Make sure your bass line is outlining the chord progression, using chord tones (root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th) as the foundation.

Use stepwise motion and chromatic approach notes: Aim for smooth, stepwise motion between chords, and incorporate chromatic approach notes to create a more interesting and connected bass line.

Rhythmic consistency: Maintain a consistent rhythm in your bass line, generally using quarter notes, to provide a steady pulse for the music.

What tips and exercises have helped you master walking bass lines on the piano? Do you have any favorite pianists or recordings that inspire your bass lines? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions, and let’s work together to become better jazz pianists!

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