This is such good info. As a drummer... I'll say... I appreciate MOTION in a bass line. It makes the cymbal beat pop and dance. Of course there's a way to play pedal tones that pop, but I think pedalling is an approach for very specific musical situation. Generally, the line needs to keep moving, and a bassist has to stay congnizant of the range they're playing in as they approach the end of sections and choruses. Maximizing the effect of drops of octave and skips is important... I want to hear those effects in a subtle way at crucial points in the harmony (generally), and then in a more emphatic way when energy starts to build and release. So a person could think about walking up from the lowest register to the highest, and have a plan for a drop in a really emphatic point in the music... Look ahead to the spot where landing on a really good note will have its greatest effect. It goes without saying that the voice leading needs to be clear; walkups are an easy way to get there.
Oh man. This was pure gold and yes... you've just laid out my practice for the weekend. I gotta get a lesson with you in 2022 Paul! Happy Holidays to you and yours.
The most easily applied walking bass instruction I've come across. I know there are always exceptions to rules but the "rules" you gave are a great place to start crafting solid workable bass lines. You're an excellent instructor! Thank you!
This video was i.mensely helpful. I just got a bass sax and am trying to go from being a lead instrument to a bass line player and had no idea where to begin. I've always found theory more useful than transcribing. It's much easier for me to apply a concept than just copy others.
I came across your channel about a month ago and it has been so helpful. I really appreciate the straight forward explanations and demonstrations. Jazz can be so daunting and to be able to pull back the curtain and show it isn't so scary is such a relief. I look forward to more of these little lessons from your channel.
Thank you so much. I am currently in my schools chamber orchestra but I personally want to get better at jazz for my senior year I will continue to watch ur videos and u seem like a decent guy
I loved playing "wallpaper gigs" with my bluegrass band; nobody was really listening so we felt free to experiment and mess around with arrangements while getting handsomely paid. I'm just getting back into upright bass and love your channel. Thanks!
Sometimes I sneak in these jazz walk ups (whichever applies for the change happening) into bluegrass or country (what I usually play). it breaks up the monotony of too much root-five or the standard country walk up which can get boring after a while, not just for the bassist but the rest of the band. Good to know changes across different genres, a number of country and bluegrass bassists incorporate jazz and classical movement into their playing.
Bro, I’ve been wanting to play or learn how to walk the base for many years I hear different teachings I caught onto your teaching which is pretty darn good you said pat yourself on the back. I’m gonna have to practice a little bit more. I understand the theory the whole half half half whole theory, which makes a lot of sense. I always wanted to play upright, but I will practice on my Fender. I appreciate you. Thank you if I could see your fingers a little bit more I think I’ll be real good. Thank you for your time, bro. You’re a good teacher. God bless.
Bro! I've watched so many of your videos. I just watched your video on Anthony Jackson and subscribed to your channel. OMG!!! You are freaking Awesome!! I don't read music and I don't know music theory but listening to you. I need to get over myself. You rock man!!
Bro, I’ve been wanting to play or learn how to walk the base for many years I hear different teachings I caught onto your teaching which is pretty darn good you said pat yourself on the back. I’m gonna have to practice a little bit more. I understand the theory the whole half half half whole theory, which makes a lot of sense. I always wanted to play upright, but I will practice on my Fender. I appreciate you. Thank you if I could see your fingers a little bit more I think I’ll be real good. Thank you for your time, bro. You’re a good teacher. God bless. Oh PS I will be subscribing you and stay on your channel so once again, thanks Bro.
Totally agree there’s are a must know pattern - I like to add the octave displacement to make to give some variety- so fog down a seventh where appropriate - but again, Janis is core must know.
Thank you so much! I used to play classical, but never joined jazz. I keep my old upright in my classroom for a unit that we do on sound. The other day I played pink panther on it while they were working, and they loved it. I think it might be fun to learn how to walk properly so I can do more wallpaper gigs for my students when they want me to.
I’d already noticed this occurring in my own lines as I listen to the masters; nice to see it pointed out this way. In fact it’s so entrenched in my playing that I’m trying to get away from it and do something else! But if I’m lazy, it’s the first many bars of, say, How High The Moon.
very informative, thank you good sir. What about a video about how you approach solo-ing over changes? I WOULD love to see how you approach jazz solo-ing on upright. Great content as always!
Ron Carter sent me here. Great video, and thanks for the "Wallpaper gig" definition. Not gunna lie; for a second, I was impressed your nice clothes weren't covered in wallpaper paste ;)
I owned the great Ben Tucker's upright. I was so stupid I tried to play it like an electric. No go. That's ok I'm a killer electric player. I learned to walk from the monster Larry Taylor on John Mayall's " Jazz Blues Fusion " album. I highly recommend it to all players it's a kick ass record!
Comments Before Viewing: I Don't Think That We Will EVER Get To The Point That We Comprehend All The Things Charles Mingus Was Telling Us On That Bass ...... 2022 And We're STILL Trying To Catch Up!!!
Ha.. I refer to them as the "Hey Joe" climbs. That song moves in 5ths, so you go from the root to the 3rd and chromatic from there. It's also in Stevie Wonder's "I wish" going from the Ab back to the Eb-7. Yep, it's everywhere man.
Hi, Paul. Just discovered your work, and I have a question about this technique versus advice provided in Jazz Lesson #2 (Walking Bass Part I). There, you emphasize chord tones. "Play chord tones on 1 and 3." This works for the minor/dom7 and half-dim patterns provided here (since the chord tone on 3 is going to be minor, and that fits in the walkup and leaves two half-steps to complete the fourth), but it doesn't for the pattern supplied for major/dom7: from tonic half-half-whole-half puts the second on 3. It really isn't possible to put a major third on three and still have space for another note (well, barring microtones) on four before reaching the fourth. I realize that the advice for chord tones in walking lines includes room for exceptions, but should one only use this pattern for a major chord when sus2 can substitute for the third without sounding too sour? Or is this a case in which one needs to be aware (well, maybe simply a little more aware than usual) of the melody note(s) on 3 to avoid killing the groove? More simply, if the line is in a major chord without the dominant 7th, is it better to switch to an alternate technique rather than risk going sour here?
Great question. Oftentimes, 6ths and 2nds can work on those critical beats. The real task is to AVOID playing a b3 on beat 3 if the chord is major. The major/dom walkup is basically playing up a major scale with a passing tone between the root and second. I found this line transcribing players like Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, and Sam Jones. They all play it…a lot. Remember that where your line is going is as important as where it is in that moment. If it sounds right, forget the rules and just play.
@@pdbass Yes, yes, well aware and wrote "up to the fifths" :-) Your lessons are incredible, by the way, and such clear, precise, and powerful playing for the examples (would love to hear you "in context" even a "wallpaper" gig). I play piano actually, and just getting into jazz but your lessons are completely relevant. Absolutely stunning!
Digression...I joined my first pro band at 17 and we did a wallpaper gig at a local doctor's mansion. During a break I ran to the bathroom and accidentally walked in on my orthodontist snorting coke. I was only two years out of braces at that point. Good thing we were wallpaper because I was catatonic the rest of the night.
Hey man, great stuff! i loved the video :) If i could give you one pointer, i'd maybe sit a little further away from the camera, because it's a little intimidating if you sit so close to it haha Cheers,
This is such good info. As a drummer... I'll say... I appreciate MOTION in a bass line. It makes the cymbal beat pop and dance. Of course there's a way to play pedal tones that pop, but I think pedalling is an approach for very specific musical situation. Generally, the line needs to keep moving, and a bassist has to stay congnizant of the range they're playing in as they approach the end of sections and choruses. Maximizing the effect of drops of octave and skips is important... I want to hear those effects in a subtle way at crucial points in the harmony (generally), and then in a more emphatic way when energy starts to build and release. So a person could think about walking up from the lowest register to the highest, and have a plan for a drop in a really emphatic point in the music... Look ahead to the spot where landing on a really good note will have its greatest effect. It goes without saying that the voice leading needs to be clear; walkups are an easy way to get there.
This is gold that you are teaching to people are just getting started on walking bass lines. Kudos to you sir!
Oh man. This was pure gold and yes... you've just laid out my practice for the weekend. I gotta get a lesson with you in 2022 Paul! Happy Holidays to you and yours.
The most easily applied walking bass instruction I've come across. I know there are always exceptions to rules but the "rules" you gave are a great place to start crafting solid workable bass lines. You're an excellent instructor! Thank you!
So glad to have encountered your channel, it's given me new inspiration to practice and my mind is expanding
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
one of the most concise and clear instructional videos on youtube geared towards bassists. subscribed and excited for more!
man , i have been doing these background gigs for over 30 years,,,and never heard that so on point expression! Wallpaper gigs..
Sometimes they pay quite well - I assume that the pay is for the indignity of being ignored for 3 hours...
This video was i.mensely helpful. I just got a bass sax and am trying to go from being a lead instrument to a bass line player and had no idea where to begin. I've always found theory more useful than transcribing. It's much easier for me to apply a concept than just copy others.
I came across your channel about a month ago and it has been so helpful. I really appreciate the straight forward explanations and demonstrations. Jazz can be so daunting and to be able to pull back the curtain and show it isn't so scary is such a relief. I look forward to more of these little lessons from your channel.
Fly Me to the Moon is a really good example of this too! Amazing tutorial and channel
Thank you so much. I am currently in my schools chamber orchestra but I personally want to get better at jazz for my senior year
I will continue to watch ur videos and u seem like a decent guy
You're a brilliant communicator. Pure joy to listen and learn!
I am switching to Double Bass, I am convinced.
I loved playing "wallpaper gigs" with my bluegrass band; nobody was really listening so we felt free to experiment and mess around with arrangements while getting handsomely paid.
I'm just getting back into upright bass and love your channel. Thanks!
This is also the key to a lot of classic R&B and rock bass. Great to know!
Sometimes I sneak in these jazz walk ups (whichever applies for the change happening) into bluegrass or country (what I usually play). it breaks up the monotony of too much root-five or the standard country walk up which can get boring after a while, not just for the bassist but the rest of the band. Good to know changes across different genres, a number of country and bluegrass bassists incorporate jazz and classical movement into their playing.
Love your straight forward, methodical and focused approach to something very simple but abundantly applicable.
Bro, I’ve been wanting to play or learn how to walk the base for many years I hear different teachings I caught onto your teaching which is pretty darn good you said pat yourself on the back. I’m gonna have to practice a little bit more. I understand the theory the whole half half half whole theory, which makes a lot of sense. I always wanted to play upright, but I will practice on my Fender. I appreciate you. Thank you if I could see your fingers a little bit more I think I’ll be real good. Thank you for your time, bro. You’re a good teacher. God bless.
Bro! I've watched so many of your videos. I just watched your video on Anthony Jackson and subscribed to your channel. OMG!!! You are freaking Awesome!! I don't read music and I don't know music theory but listening to you. I need to get over myself. You rock man!!
Bro, I’ve been wanting to play or learn how to walk the base for many years I hear different teachings I caught onto your teaching which is pretty darn good you said pat yourself on the back. I’m gonna have to practice a little bit more. I understand the theory the whole half half half whole theory, which makes a lot of sense. I always wanted to play upright, but I will practice on my Fender. I appreciate you. Thank you if I could see your fingers a little bit more I think I’ll be real good. Thank you for your time, bro. You’re a good teacher. God bless. Oh PS I will be subscribing you and stay on your channel so once again, thanks Bro.
I've never seen your videos before, but you're great! You're teaching is wonderful and you seem like a humble, decent guy.
This mixed in with some arpeggios and octaves or drops and a whole lot of good bass lines are right there. It's like knowing your Scrabble words.
Great information Paul! Everyone should learn these not just bass players!
Man, I got hyped by the thumb nail and thought you was to do a Mingus review. You got to do a Mingus Review this year !
"I've got some practicing to do" was my thought exactly just before you said it. I need to run through all the keys more often.
I am practicing with a big smile on my face. Thank you so much.
Holy crap this is the Konami code of walking bass
Appreciate the shorter no-filler format. There's too many UA-cam videos now that are ten minutes long, regardless of the actual content
PT!!!! You are a master teacher. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for speaking slowly and congratulations for your accent. For a non native speaker it makes all the difference.
Great lesson! 👍🏻🙏🏻
UA-cam did it again. Pure Gold content
Great video. These walkups are the connective tissue to chord movement and resolution.
Totally agree there’s are a must know pattern - I like to add the octave displacement to make to give some variety- so fog down a seventh where appropriate - but again, Janis is core must know.
Thank you so much! I used to play classical, but never joined jazz. I keep my old upright in my classroom for a unit that we do on sound.
The other day I played pink panther on it while they were working, and they loved it. I think it might be fun to learn how to walk properly so I can do more wallpaper gigs for my students when they want me to.
I’d already noticed this occurring in my own lines as I listen to the masters; nice to see it pointed out this way. In fact it’s so entrenched in my playing that I’m trying to get away from it and do something else! But if I’m lazy, it’s the first many bars of, say, How High The Moon.
This bass teacher is genius. Circle of fourths= brilliant lesson.
I love your videos, you are an amazing teacher✨🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽‼️
Great lesson, Paul, and what a beautiful bass you are playing.
Thanks! ‘72 Pollmann. She’s a looker!
What a beautiful timbre
Great stuff dude. Perfect video lesson that anyone can use. Bravo!
Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much
Love these lessons!
Watched > Saved > Liked > Subscribed.
Respect! I watch your classes everyday, mentor. Congratulations
Never heard of, but played it a million times. Nice to have a term for it. I like it thanks.
Wow. This is great info that I never thought about. Thanks so much.
Very nice! So much info in a short video. Thank you so much for sharing.
New fave jazz channel?
Heading upstairs to practice right now! Great video
It's moving in 5ths. 5ths. It is the cycle of 5ths. You are a great educator thank you for your great work.
Thanks , more like this please! Excelent, short and straight
Love the timbre of your bass!
I always automatically hit “like” as soon as you I open one of your videos.
This is so great, Paul! Such a great lesson!
Thanks for the video! An simple approach taught in a usable formate. Have a happy holiday!
Beautifully simple! Subbed👍 Thank you for the content.
Just commenting to help the algorithm spread the coolness. Bravo!!!
Subscribed. Giving this to my students ASAP. You’re the man.
Superb Videos.
My first vid, was the ten doublebass lines in hip hop.
Thumbs up and greetings from germany.
Thanks, a lot, for your work.
Dr. Dopenstein's Dopesauce Delivery👍🏾🤓
The beauty/effectiveness of simplicity, eh?🙌🤗💣😉
very informative, thank you good sir. What about a video about how you approach solo-ing over changes? I WOULD love to see how you approach jazz solo-ing on upright. Great content as always!
I will cross that bridge! I just like to cover the most overlooked stuff first. We play bass, after all. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing this bass instructions
Love it Thank you!
This is quite good. Thanks.
Excellent and excellently done.
Great talk, thank you! Is it a descending pattern like this walkup ? A walkdown ?
Yes! I will definitely be talking about that in another video. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for making Morgantown cool!
^^^^This comment^^^^🤣
Great! Love your tone...
Yeah Paul! How cool!
Ron Carter sent me here. Great video, and thanks for the "Wallpaper gig" definition. Not gunna lie; for a second, I was impressed your nice clothes weren't covered in wallpaper paste ;)
Whaaaaaaa?!?! The GOAT saw my video?!?!
@@pdbass He reacted to it on Facebook :)
I just saw it! I might retire now 😁
@@pdbass If The G.O.A.T hasn't retired yet, what right do we have ;)
Great vídeo. Thank you!
Great video again Paul!
Thank you, thank you. Thank you!
I owned the great Ben Tucker's upright. I was so stupid I tried to play it like an electric. No go. That's ok I'm a killer electric player. I learned to walk from the monster Larry Taylor on John Mayall's " Jazz Blues Fusion " album. I highly recommend it to all players it's a kick ass record!
Great lesson! Thx
excellent and layed out perfectly
Comments Before Viewing: I Don't Think That We Will EVER Get To The Point That We Comprehend All The Things Charles Mingus Was Telling Us On That Bass ...... 2022 And We're STILL Trying To Catch Up!!!
Thank you for this Sir. 😊
Ha.. I refer to them as the "Hey Joe" climbs. That song moves in 5ths, so you go from the root to the 3rd and chromatic from there. It's also in Stevie Wonder's "I wish" going from the Ab back to the Eb-7. Yep, it's everywhere man.
Hi, Paul. Just discovered your work, and I have a question about this technique versus advice provided in Jazz Lesson #2 (Walking Bass Part I). There, you emphasize chord tones. "Play chord tones on 1 and 3." This works for the minor/dom7 and half-dim patterns provided here (since the chord tone on 3 is going to be minor, and that fits in the walkup and leaves two half-steps to complete the fourth), but it doesn't for the pattern supplied for major/dom7: from tonic half-half-whole-half puts the second on 3. It really isn't possible to put a major third on three and still have space for another note (well, barring microtones) on four before reaching the fourth. I realize that the advice for chord tones in walking lines includes room for exceptions, but should one only use this pattern for a major chord when sus2 can substitute for the third without sounding too sour? Or is this a case in which one needs to be aware (well, maybe simply a little more aware than usual) of the melody note(s) on 3 to avoid killing the groove? More simply, if the line is in a major chord without the dominant 7th, is it better to switch to an alternate technique rather than risk going sour here?
Great question. Oftentimes, 6ths and 2nds can work on those critical beats. The real task is to AVOID playing a b3 on beat 3 if the chord is major. The major/dom walkup is basically playing up a major scale with a passing tone between the root and second. I found this line transcribing players like Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, and Sam Jones. They all play it…a lot. Remember that where your line is going is as important as where it is in that moment. If it sounds right, forget the rules and just play.
Seeing this video made me realise that maybe I am not as bad of a bass player as I think I am sometimes because I know this technique very well.
Very helpful 👍👍 what about going back to
thanks for the ideas I'm gonna give it a go
Nice! How about walking down the fifth, all scale tones? E.g., Fmin7, Bbmin7, Eb7, Abmaj7: F-G-Ab-A | Bb-Ab-G-F | Eb-F-Gb-G | Ab-G-F-Eb | Db etc.
really nice, love this video!
Super helpful! Thank you!!
Awesome thanks👍🎶
I'm a trumpet player but this helps me in listening
Amazing! Different from Hey Joe which walks up to the fifths C, G, D, A, E and the formula there would be major 3rd / half / half / half.
Yes-but remember that Hey Joe is different: it’s moving in FIFTHS, not 4ths
@@pdbass Yes, yes, well aware and wrote "up to the fifths" :-) Your lessons are incredible, by the way, and such clear, precise, and powerful playing for the examples (would love to hear you "in context" even a "wallpaper" gig). I play piano actually, and just getting into jazz but your lessons are completely relevant. Absolutely stunning!
Would you please take a look at Buckshot Lefonque's Breakfast at Dennies.
Would it work also as a descending walking bass
Of course, depending on the chord!
@@pdbass you will go for same formula Whhh? You give hope to the bass people 😇
Super helpful! 🤯
Thanks!
thanks a bunch for the vid.
Digression...I joined my first pro band at 17 and we did a wallpaper gig at a local doctor's mansion. During a break I ran to the bathroom and accidentally walked in on my orthodontist snorting coke. I was only two years out of braces at that point. Good thing we were wallpaper because I was catatonic the rest of the night.
Hey man, great stuff! i loved the video :)
If i could give you one pointer, i'd maybe sit a little further away from the camera, because it's a little intimidating if you sit so close to it haha
Cheers,
👹😈🤡
Excellent
Hello!
Can somebody help me?
what is skips? It's on 0:33 , but I don't undestrsatnd
ua-cam.com/video/xiM4kTXgmOM/v-deo.html
Yes,thank you …..great info…..must have…..☮️🎶🔛🌎
I really gotta get one of those keyboard faucets
really excited to try this on the guitar!! 😌thank you so much
(edit) this won't work on modal tunes tho.. like So What