by Walking bass lines can be an absolute mystery. Someone shoves a chord chart in your face and expects you to know exactly how to get through it.
In theory, it’s easy. You just have to play 4 notes per bar, right? In reality, it can be a lot trickier than it sounds.
The conventional wisdom when it comes to learning how to make walking bass lines usually boils down to 2 things:
- Learning millions of fancy scales and arpeggios; or
- Spending years transcribing existing walking lines from famous recordings
Now if you’re serious about your walking bass lines, you should absolutely do these things. There’s no substitute for putting in the work.
But what if you don’t have time to learn a million fancy scales or arpeggios? Or you don’t want to spend years transcribing walking lines? What can you do then?
Well, instead of going through all that, you can actually get started very quickly and surprisingly easily. In today’s video, I want to show you how get started with walking bass lines using 5 simple formulas.
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Go Beyond The Basic Walking Bass Line 'Formulas'
FREE - Download the 16-page Ultimate Guide To The Modes Of The Major Scale For Bass and:
- Get a full explanation of the modes in simple, easy-to-understand terms
- Discover how the modes REALLY work and how they're related to different chords - perfect for figuring out walking lines
- Learn how to use the modes, and where you can use each of them
- Download the free PDF guide plus 24 practice tracks that will have you using the modes TODAY
- Plus, get the backing track and formulas from this lesson in both tab and notation
The walking bass lines that these formulas make will definitely get you started and help you out in a pinch.
However, if you want to get serious about your walking bass lines and get them to the to the next level, then be sure to fill out the form above and sign up for the Ultimate Guide To The Modes For Bass.
Of course, the notes in your walking lines are just one part of the equation. We haven’t even started talking about how a walking line should feel. That will have to wait for another day!
Of course if you have any questions about walking lines, just let me know in the comments below.
Good luck with the lesson and happy walking!
Cheers,
Hey , when I try to get the guide for the walking and the pentatonic lesson it says “Unknown Response Code. Please resubmit the subscription form” Can this be fixed please?
Hey Taylor, I couldn’t find anything wrong on my end so I resubmitted your subscription and resent the confirmation email. Let me know if it doesn’t show up.
Hey Luke,
thank you so much for your lessons!
I’m a graphic designer, let me know if you need something (a new logo perhaps), so I can give something back….
all the best.
Cesar
Hi Luke. How do I get the backing track for the walking bass lines
Hey Denny – I just used an app called iRealPro to create a super basic track – the one in the video – but you could find others by searching on YouTube I’m sure.
Hi Luke,
I am new to the bass and watched your video on You Tube, and was excited to learn more. I downloaded your free manual and am anxious to get started. I’ll drop a note now and again to let you know my progress.
Thanks again
No worries Earl – that’d be great!
I like this video because I’m learning to do the Bassline
and I want to play jazz on the my bass.ty
Hi can print a guide for the walking bass line?
Hey Chris – If you sign up for the Modes Guide on this page, it actually comes with the PDF with all these formulas on it. You could print that and use it as a reference if you like.
Great tks
You have a great lesson here. I’ve been playing for a long time, but your lesson gives a useful perspective. Thanks a lot.
Your lesson here is great !
Thanks Luke. I’ve wanted to learn walking bass lines for a while and you made it look so easy. I’m looking forward to watching more of your You Tube clips for more hints. Regards.
Many thanks for the valuable information and wealth of knowledge
You are super awesome!
Hi Luke! I really enjoyed your youtube video and look forward to seeing others. What is a good Bass guitar for a beginner?
Hey Grady – the best bass for a beginner is the one that you LOVE to play and are excited by. That means very different things for different people, but for me, my top priority is how it sounds, then how it feels in my hands ie. playability and all that kind of stuff. Try as many basses as you can, and pick the one that you’re excited by.
Luke.
Thak you so much for your lessons, you are the king.
I learn so much from you.
Thanks a lot brother.
Hi there,
great job thanks.
Could you give me the name from your bass please, he is amazing.
Thanks regards
thanks a lot Luke . You are a great instructor.
we really need you. thanks again