C Minor Blues - Walking Bass Line Construction

This book is dedicated to helping bass players at all levels develop walking bass lines with emphasis on a learn by doing approach. Beginners with limited knowledge of how to spell chords and/or might be new to playing the bass will have an easy pathway to success and be able to quickly function in a group. The backing track options are unique and playing with them will be fun and help you play with a steady pulse. More experienced players will significantly benefit from the book’s thorough and comprehensive approach. The dozens of hyperlinks will offer novel ideas, explanations, enrichment and inspiration. The final chapter, emulating the styles of some of the greatest walking bass line masters, will be of particular interest to advanced players. It’s also a wonderful tool for educators and learners in school settings and would immediately have a positive impact with their ensemble.

Most of the exercises in this book have a limited range - low E to middle C on the staff. For four string traditional tuning electric bass players this means most of the exercises stay within the first five frets.

By no means is this method complete, but it is an efficient way to create bass lines without a mastery of playing or theory. Playing these exercises correctly is a start. Internalizing and integrating these bass lines so you can apply them to other tunes is the goal. Strive to understand the underlying concepts of each exercise. Make them part of your musical vocabulary.

As useful as these exercises might be, the best way to learn bass lines is to emulate aspects of masterful bass lines you hear on recordings. Have fun and play with confidence and joy.

Click on the links below for
​Inspiration, Education and Fun!

C minor Blues

C minor Blues Walking Bass Line Construction w/TAB pdfs

Some Awesome Walking Jazz Bass Players

Walking Jazz Bass Line Info

Aspirational Links

Foundational Links