How To Walk A Jazz Bass Line (in under 60 seconds)

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Lyrics:

Arpeggiate the triad
Or at least play chord tones
On beats 1 and 3 (the strong beats)
Followed by notes from the key, or not from the key
On beats 2 and 4 (the weak beats)
The sixth counts as a chord tone

For the strongest melodic connection between chords
Use stepwise motion or ascending fourths or descending fifths
The exception is escape tones
You don't even need to play the root
If chord tones are on beats 1 and 3

Overuse of chromatic notes to connect chord tones
Sounds like a devolution into atonality
A healthy balance of stepwise motion and arpeggios helps to
Outline the chord

The constant quarter notes can be interrupted
By ghost note upbeats on the adjacent string
Or anticipation of the downbeat
Raking downward helps propel motion forward

And that's how you walk a jazz bass line!

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Peace,
Adam

[greggoso]

like, in one minute he explains something that a thousand other youtubers would have explained in like 134 lessons or something

thanks from the bottom of my heart

[MashPotatoJohns]

I didn't even realize the lyrics were the lesson until it was finished.

[ilijazz]

I think Adam gets bored sometimes. And challenges himself to make the shortest possible video with the most amount of information

[rvpycdp]

Me: Pass the aux cord
friend: You better not play trash
me:

[talkingbasslessons]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: My fave 'bass' channel on Youtube. I think your views are going to go ballistic as word gets round.

[matosjorgemiguel]

Don't know why but sometimes this song comes to me in the shower:🎵 Arpeggiate the triads, or at least the chord tones on beats one and three (the strong beats)...🎵

[UndecimeBeatitudo]

Adam, your content is far beyond high quality. But this video is a true stroke of genius on so many levels. It's a walking bass lesson that is also a musical piece that uses walking bass while lyrics explain the way it works. So much is happening in this video. I'm bombarded with audial and visual information, and all of it is compressed in a single minute, and it's far more than informative and helpful.

Unfathomable.

[UDrunkDinosaur]

Dude, this is literally the best music channel on tube

[joepollockbass]

Not only is this super helpful and informative -- it's also super catchy.

[davidgerber]

Absolutely wonderful. I've viewed this seven times now, including once with the volume off, and just reading the text. Before I start freezing this frame by frame and copying the music by hand, I am hoping you'll tell me it can be accessed somewhere (I'll happily pay!). There is a lot of early-to mid level stuff on the Tube, but what you pack into 60 seconds is more than most vids give you in half an hour. The real deal, no BS. Just click play and pay attention, because it's all there, and it comes at you fast. LOVE IT!

[calvinmark]

I have an audition for college in about a week where I have to walk a jazz bassline and solo. This is so helpful!

[MrMikkyn]

oh god, that there is so much information. I have to re-read the lyrics like 50 times. Hahahha

[GintokiPianist]

not a bass player, but i find this incredibly amusing. and also relevant for piano bass.. now to try doing a string rake on piano..

[nicolasgiliberti]

2018 and still listening this because, damn it, sound cool.

[rekindled]

That's pretty much a whole music theory book read in 60 second. Keep up with the good work man!

[ZNT]

It pisses me off that i can only like this once really badly.

[adrienbidal]

I'm a french bass player (well, I lost my bass and all my money so I am now a french gipsy jazz guitarist. Sometimes life chose ur instrument for you :D) and I discovered your channel yesterday. Your works are awesome, really. It's probably one of the best music channel, not only for bass, but for all kind of popular music and instruments. You have a so concise but practical approach of abstract concepts ...you are really a good teacher. I learn things I already know with your video, because you give a more obvious meaning of all that stuff that makes it concrete.
Thanks, I'll recommend this channel to anybody interested in music :)

[CanelonVegano]

You are so cool man, I recently discovered your videos and you are an enciclopedia of valuable music knowledge!

[LauraWallaceTHE]

"The sixth counts as a chord tone" has taken my basslines to the next level. Thanks, Adam!

[yuvalne]

Three years later, still a super iconic video