Walking Bass - Quick Start Guide from Udemy

Always wanted to learn how to play walking bass, but it was too difficult?

This course is my personal “instant walking bass” recipe. You’ll learn the basic concepts and strategies that will allow you to improvise simple walking bass lines in just a few weeks of practicing. Yes - you will be Believe it or not. The strategies I’ll be sharing are not that difficult to master and I’m sure you’ll have that eureka moment when you figure them out - just like I had when I was starting.

Please watch the free preview videos to get a taste for what’s inside.

This course is shot in full HD video, with quality bass playing audio mixed with the backing tracks. The course is split into five chapters, each adding a new element to our “instant-walking-bass” strategy. This means that each chapter is really doable - you just need a bit of practice.

This course includes:

PDF, Guitar Pro 5 & Guitar Pro 6 tabs for each playing example
Interactive backing track videos for jamming and practice
Downloadable backing tracks in mp3 format
Text transcripts for each lesson
English subtitles
Unlimited forum help and instructor feedback

I want you to know that I would love if you would post your questions as you progress through the course. Please feel free to send me messages anytime, I’ll be checking them out and responding quickly. Also, I’d like to encourage you to record audio files or videos (you can post videos on Youtube and share the link) and send them to me for feedback.

I’m here to help YOU, so please don’t be shy :)

This course is meant as an introduction to walking bass. We won’t be going into any complicated theory and walking bass concepts. What you’ll gain are necessary foundations for expanding your knowledge and more importantly - means of cheating your way into walking bass territory. After all, not all of us end up being session musicians or super stars in certain genres. All musicians (even pros), often prefer to take the easy route and learn how to “fake” certain styles. This is what you’ll learn, you’ll learn how to “fake” walking bass type of lines until you are ready for more. I must say, that this can be a lot of fun and a lot of my friends (myself included), never actually feel the need later on to learn specific styles in more depth.

This course, does not rely on any music theory (at least complicated one). This is a problem of many other walking bass courses as those just dig too deep into music theory that it becomes boring. You’ll just need to have a very basic understanding of how to find certain notes on the fretboard (in basic, most often used positions on the neck). Since walking bass heavly relies on chords, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of chords and root notes, but we cover those topics within the course.

Please send me your feedback about the course. What did you like? What did you not like? How could I improve it? Your feedback means a lot to me and I need to in order to better shape the course content for YOU.

Please Enroll Today.

Cheers,

Bogdan

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain necessary foundations for tackling walking bass style in-depth
Learn to improvise simple & effective walking bass lines over any backing track
Be more confident when jamming or composing bass lines

Know how to identify root notes for any given chord
Jam over backing tracks or play with a band in a walking bass style
Become more familiar with bass fretboard

Gain necessary foundations for tackling walking bass style in-depth
Learn to improvise simple & effective walking bass lines over any backing track
Be more confident when jamming or composing bass lines
Know how to identify root notes for any given chord
Jam over backing tracks or play with a band in a walking bass style
Become more familiar with bass fretboard

Syllabus

Upon completing this section you'll be able to identify root notes and play along chord changes in a basic walking bass rhythm.

Learn what this course is all about and prepare to get started.

Learn what are root notes and how to find a root note for each chord.

Learn how to play the basic 4 feel walking bass rhythm.

Learn the fundamental strategy of navigating chord changes using root notes. This will be the base for all walking bass lines you play.

Learn a bass line which is utilizing the root notes strategy.

Tablature for roots only playing example.

Practice what you've just learned by playing along the backing track.

Practice identifying the root note in chords

Learn the improvising strategy of approaching chord changes from above.

Learn a bass line which is utilizing the approach note from above strategy.

Tablature for the approach note from above playing example.

Practice identifying approach notes

Learn the improvising strategy of approaching chord changes from below.

Learn a bass line which is utilizing the approach note from below strategy.

Tablature for the approach note from below playing example.

Put it all together and have fun improvising walking bass lines.

Learn a bass line which is utilizing the improvisation strategy.

Tablature for improvisation playing example.

Final course tips.

Use this backing track to practice improvising your own walking bass lines.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a practical introduction to walking bass lines, focusing on improvisation and foundational techniques, which is ideal for musicians looking to quickly grasp the basics

Includes tabs in PDF, Guitar Pro 5, and Guitar Pro 6 formats, which caters to learners who prefer different methods of reading and practicing musical notation

Focuses on a simplified approach to walking bass, which may not suit advanced players seeking in-depth theoretical knowledge or complex techniques

Requires a basic understanding of finding notes on the fretboard and chords, which may pose a challenge for absolute beginners with no prior musical experience

Offers interactive backing track videos and downloadable MP3s, which allows learners to practice and jam along with different musical styles and tempos

Teaches how to "fake" walking bass lines, which may not appeal to learners seeking a more comprehensive and theoretically grounded understanding of the style

Reviews summary

Practical walking bass quick start

According to learners, this course provides a highly effective and accessible introduction to playing walking bass lines. Students praise the clear and concise instruction and the step-by-step method that makes the topic approachable even for absolute beginners. While the course doesn't delve into complex theory, reviewers appreciate that it delivers on its promise of providing a practical 'quick start' recipe. The included backing tracks and tabs are frequently highlighted as useful resources for practice, enabling students to quickly begin improvising simple lines. Some students found the content a bit basic for intermediate players, but overall, it's seen as a solid foundation for those new to the style.

Backing tracks and tabs are helpful.

"The backing tracks are great for practicing the concepts."

"Love having the tabs and backing tracks included."

"Backing tracks provided ample opportunity to practice."

"Good practice material included."

The teaching method is easy to follow.

"Instructions were clear and easy to follow."

"Easy to understand and apply."

"The explanations are concise and well-delivered."

"Bogdan explains everything in a very simple and clear way."

Focuses on playing, not complex theory.

"This course is perfect if you want to start playing walking bass lines immediately."

"Liked the no-nonsense approach to getting you playing quickly."

"It gets right to the point and shows you how to build lines."

"Straightforward, practical steps to get playing."

An ideal starting point for new players.

"This course is perfect for a beginner like me."

"Great for people who are new to walking bass."

"As a beginner bass player, this course was a great way to get started..."

"If you're brand new to walking bass, this is a solid start."

Primarily covers fundamental concepts.

"This course is only a very basic introduction."

"I wished it went a bit deeper into more variations."

"It gives a solid foundation, but not much advanced material."

"Good for the absolute quick start, but not exhaustive."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Walking Bass - Quick Start Guide with these activities:

Review Basic Chord Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of basic chord theory, which is essential for understanding chord changes and root notes in walking bass lines.

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Review the construction of major and minor chords.
Practice identifying chord qualities by ear.
Study common chord progressions in jazz and blues.

Read 'The Jazz Theory Book'

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Expand your understanding of jazz theory, which will enhance your ability to create more complex and interesting walking bass lines.

View The Jazz Theory Book on Amazon

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Read chapters on chord voicings and progressions.
Study the sections on scales and modes relevant to jazz.
Apply the concepts learned to analyze existing walking bass lines.

Practice Root Note Identification

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Improve your ability to quickly identify root notes of chords, a fundamental skill for creating walking bass lines.

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Use flashcards to memorize root notes on the fretboard.
Play along with backing tracks and identify root notes in real-time.
Transcribe walking bass lines and analyze the root note movement.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Compose a Simple Walking Bass Line

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Solidify your understanding of the course material by composing your own walking bass line over a backing track.

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Choose a backing track in a common key (e.g., C major, G major).
Identify the chord progression of the backing track.
Create a walking bass line using root notes and approach notes.
Record your bass line and share it with the instructor or peers for feedback.

Follow Advanced Walking Bass Tutorials

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Refine your walking bass skills by exploring more advanced techniques and concepts through online tutorials.

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Search for tutorials on specific walking bass techniques (e.g., enclosures, chromatic approaches).
Practice the techniques demonstrated in the tutorials.
Incorporate the new techniques into your own walking bass lines.

Transcribe Walking Bass Lines

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Improve your understanding of walking bass by transcribing existing bass lines from recordings.

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Choose a recording of a jazz or blues song with a prominent walking bass line.
Listen to the recording and transcribe the bass line note-for-note.
Analyze the transcribed bass line to identify common patterns and techniques.
Practice playing the transcribed bass line.

Explore 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown'

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Learn from the bass lines of James Jamerson, a master of melodic and rhythmic bass playing.

View Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol On The Rocks: A Tale of... on Amazon

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Read about James Jamerson's life and musical background.
Study the transcriptions of his bass lines.
Analyze his use of rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Incorporate his techniques into your own playing.

Career center

Learners who complete Walking Bass - Quick Start Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Bassist

A bassist plays the bass guitar in various musical settings, and this course offers a focused introduction to the walking bass style, a fundamental technique for many bassists. This course directly addresses the need to improvise simple walking bass lines, which is a core skill for any bassist. The techniques taught, such as identifying root notes and navigating chord changes, provide a solid foundation for a bassist to perform in styles such as jazz, blues, and funk. By learning to 'fake' walking bass lines early on, a bassist can quickly gain confidence and versatility in their playing. The focus on practical application through backing tracks and improvisation exercises aligns well with the performance requirements of a bassist.

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Amateur Musician

An amateur musician plays music for personal enjoyment, and this course is excellent for an amateur musician looking to learn walking bass. The course offers a practical and approachable method for mastering bass lines, without getting bogged down in complicated theory. The focus on improvisation and jam tracks makes this course particularly suitable for someone wanting to enhance their musicality in a fun way. The techniques taught may be very beneficial to an amateur musician. The course's focus on ‘faking’ walking bass is a great way for an amateur musician to quickly gain skill and confidence.

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Session Musician

Session musicians are hired to play on recordings or live performances, often across various musical genres. This course serves as a great entry point for a session musician interested in the walking bass style, which is essential across many genres. Being able to quickly improvise simple walking bass lines is a skill that is valuable for a session musician. The course’s focus on practical skills, such as identifying root notes and approaching chord changes, is directly applicable to the demands of session work. This course helps a session musician build a foundation for playing walking bass without getting bogged down in theory.

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Band Member

A band member is someone who plays an instrument or sings as part of a musical group. This course offers a practical entry-point for a band member to learn walking bass. The course teaches basic concepts that enable a band member to improvise and play within a group. By learning to identify root notes and chord progressions, a band member can enhance their versatility and contributions to the band. This course focuses on practical strategies, allowing a band member to quickly integrate the walking bass style into group performances. The course's backing tracks and jam exercises are relevant to a band member’s practical needs.

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Private Music Instructor

A private music instructor teaches music lessons to individual students. This course can provide a private music instructor with practical methods and techniques to teach the walking bass style. The structured approach of the course, in which each chapter builds on the previous one, can serve as an example of a good teaching method. The focus on improvisation and practical exercises also makes this course helpful for a private music instructor looking to give their students useful tools for their own development. This course may be valuable to a private music instructor.

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Music Educator

A music educator teaches musical concepts and skills to students of various ages and experience levels. This course provides a clear, step-by-step approach for learning walking bass, which may be highly useful for a music educator in helping their own students. The course provides a good example of how to break down a complex technique into manageable steps, which is valuable for any music educator. The focus on practical application and improvisation makes this course particularly suitable for educators who wish to teach walking bass to students, thus enhancing their teaching toolkit. A music educator could use the simple strategies showcased in the course to teach the fundamental skills of walking bass.

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Composer

A composer writes original music, often for various instruments and ensembles. This course in walking bass technique may be useful to a composer who wishes to explore the possibilities of writing bass lines in this style. The course focuses on learning fundamental strategies to navigate chord changes, which is essential for any composer working with rhythm sections. The ability to improvise walking bass lines, even with 'cheating' techniques as described, can spark new melodic and rhythmic ideas for a composer. The course may be helpful to a composer who is looking to infuse their work with elements of jazz, blues, and related genres.

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Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical pieces for different instruments or ensembles, and a course in walking bass technique may be valuable to an arranger looking to write interesting bass lines. The course emphasizes practical application, and may help an arranger understand how to develop a bass line that works within a particular harmonic context. The techniques covered in this course may help an arranger expand their palette in arranging for any rhythm section. An arranger may also be inspired by the techniques taught in this course.

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Hobbyist

A hobbyist engages in activities for pleasure during their free time, and this course could be useful for a hobbyist interested in learning bass guitar. This course offers a clearly laid out introduction to walking bass, making it accessible even to hobbyists with limited music experience. The course is designed to be fun and engaging, with backing tracks and practice examples, ideal for someone who is learning for the sheer enjoyment of it. By covering the fundamentals of walking bass, this course can provide a solid foundation for a hobbyist to improve their musicianship. The course’s emphasis on simple strategies rather than complicated theory makes it a great way for a hobbyist to experiment with a new instrument.

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Music Director

A music director oversees the musical aspects of a performance, and a deep understanding of walking bass can help a music director when working with musicians. This course may help a music director to understand the subtleties of the walking bass style, which is essential in many forms of popular music. The course focuses on practical application and improvisation, which can be helpful to a music director in preparing for productions. Additionally the focus of this course on foundational elements of walking bass can help a music director better communicate with bass players.

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Songwriter

A songwriter crafts original songs, including the melody, lyrics, and underlying harmonic progressions. A songwriter could use the techniques taught in this course to better understand how walking bass lines add depth and groove to a song. The ability to improvise bass lines, as taught in this course, can inspire a songwriter to create more interesting and complex musical ideas. This course focuses on practical techniques, which can be readily applied to songwriting. The methods discussed in this course may be valuable to a songwriter.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This course may be useful to a music therapist who wants to use walking bass as a therapeutic tool. By using the course's practical approach to walking bass, a music therapist can gain a foundational understanding of rhythmic structure and harmony. The focus on improvisation can also serve as a beneficial tool for a music therapist looking to facilitate creative expression for their client. Additionally, the therapist can employ techniques learned from the course to develop a patient’s musicality.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with sound in recording or live settings, and having knowledge of how music is constructed can be useful. This course may be useful to an audio engineer looking to understand how this particular style of bass works within a mix. By learning fundamental techniques of walking bass, an audio engineer can better understand the subtle nuances of the instrument and how it interacts with other instruments. The practical nature of this course may help an audio engineer better understand their work. An audio engineer may use the knowledge gleaned from this course to mix the bass better.

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Music Producer

A music producer oversees the recording process of a musical project. They could benefit by understanding the nuances of walking bass lines, as taught in this course. The course may help a music producer gain basic skills of rhythmic and harmonic structure related to walking bass, and a better understanding of how this style works in a musical context. This course’s emphasis on practical techniques may be useful to a music producer who is seeking to understand the building blocks of music, and how a walking bass fits into a track. By focusing on the root notes and approaches in this course, a music producer can develop a better sense of how to guide a bassist in a recording session.

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Guitarist

A guitarist plays the guitar, and this course, while primarily focused on bass, offers valuable perspective on music theory that may help a guitarist’s development. The course focuses on foundational concepts of rhythm and harmony, which transfer easily to the guitar. By developing a rudimentary understanding of walking bass, a guitarist may improve their playing and gain new approaches to musical composition. A guitarist familiarizing themselves with walking bass could also be able to more easily practice with a bassist. This course may be useful to a guitarist wishing to expand their musical knowledge.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Walking Bass - Quick Start Guide.

The Jazz Theory Book

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Provides a comprehensive overview of jazz theory, including chord voicings, scales, and improvisation techniques. While the course focuses on a quick start, this book offers a deeper dive into the theoretical underpinnings of walking bass. It's a valuable resource for students who want to expand their knowledge beyond the basics. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions.

The Jazz Theory Book

Spiral-bound

Bobby Rydell

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Delves into the bass lines of James Jamerson, the legendary Motown bassist. While not strictly jazz walking bass, Jamerson's innovative and melodic bass lines provide valuable insights into creating engaging and effective bass parts. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It is commonly used by bass players to learn more about bass playing.

Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol On The Rocks: A Tale of...

Paperback

Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of...

Kindle Edition

Walking Bass - Quick Start Guide

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical walking bass quick start

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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