How long does it take...

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Wings_for_Marie

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To assimilate a completley new concept. In my case, walking basslines. I've purchased Todd Johnson's walking bass vol.1 dvd and have been studying it for about a week.

My problem is that, despite working at it a little each day, I still make mistakes, even on stuff I've done more than other things. Mistakes are usually fine, but it makes me wonder if I've been absorbing any of this.

Opinions?
 
There are no rules here, it depends on your background, and on how you understand music, and life in general.
Try not to think as mistakes, but as not very good choice of notes. A relaxed attitude, and a study in a musical manner surely helps. Also keep studying every single day, this is very important.

Good luck!
 
Walking can take some time to get down...the main thing for walking is the feel. If it doesn't swing, who cares if the notes are right?! I read that a lot of the old dixieland bassists had no clue what they were playing note-wise, but they made it swing! If I were you, I'd keep the note choice simple (1st, 3rd and 5th kinda thing) in the beginning and concentrate on feel.
 
When it comes wo walking bass, it is MY opinion that you have to play in a jazz band to actually get a hang of how to use it properly.

So, what are you waiting for?

GO GET A JAZZ BAND!
 
Samuel said:
When it comes wo walking bass, it is MY opinion that you have to play in a jazz band to actually get a hang of how to use it properly.

So, what are you waiting for?

GO GET A JAZZ BAND!
Click to expand...
+1 Forgot to mention that... :D You'll get it: just keep playing!
 
I'm afraid that walking bass will take more than a week to master for mere mortals.

;)

If you're just going root, root, five, five it's kinda simple, but if you really want to get inside it, it can get a little crazy (in a good way).

I recommend Ed Friedland's "Building Walking Basslines" book - it's excellent.

There ain't no free ride though, it will take lots of practice.

;)
 
after doing it for years, walking basslines IMHO is actually just playing scales and knowing what scale the piece is in when you are walking :roll:

So IMO you sould just practice scales learn how they sound musical in a musical piece and apply that 'knowledge' to your playing. after that the only difference between playing scales and walking like the Jazz bass legends is (IMO) make some variations in the way you play the scale sometimes make a 'walkabout' in a harmonising scale (i hope i write this right and everyone can still follow this :oops: ) and sometimes play it the opposite to the harmony you hear. (another 'trick' is walking up and down the scale but that's common knowledge it think :? )

When i am walking i hardly think about the notes i am playing but i think about the key and the part i am in and at the end of the part (going to another scale) i just 'climb' to the root- or fifth note of that upcoming scale.
Thats generally how i approach walking bass and up-till-now it still works.

(I hope the Jazz purists don't grind me down all the way! :oops: )
 
All of what you said is relevant. In essence, what Negyuh said is what Todd Johnson is proposing as a way to look at walking. You just use the chord tones and walk either a half-step below or above or on a fourth or fifth or ocatve. Pretty standard, except, you're looking at things four (or two) beats at a time instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed.

I suppose it's just a matter of getting used to it. And no, Eberbachl, I expect it should take at least two weeks, maybe three for me to master it :wink:. After all, he's using a jazz context (albeit a simpler one) and I'm a bone-headed rock (and sometimes blues and reggae) player.
 
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