Walking Bass 101
Walking Bass 101 is about building a strong foundation in time, feel, and harmony so you can create your own lines with confidence.
This isn’t about memorizing patterns or following formulas. It’s about understanding how walking bass works so you can move freely through chord changes, stay grounded in time, and support the music in a real way.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to walk a 12-bar blues, connect basic harmony, and develop lines that feel consistent, musical, and solid.
-
-
FOCUS 1 — From Tuba to Double Bass
Understand how the role of the bass evolved in early jazz and how the walking bass line became the foundation of the rhythm section.
Understand how the role of the bass evolved in early jazz and how the walking bass line became the foundation of the rhythm section.
-
FOCUS 2 — Form & Progression
Learn the structure of a jazz blues in C and how the harmony moves, including the ii–V turnaround.
Learn the structure of a jazz blues in C and how the harmony moves, including the ii–V turnaround.
-
FOCUS 3 — Scales & Arpeggios for a C Blues
Identify and play the scales and arpeggios needed to navigate a C blues, starting in one octave and expanding across the fingerboard.
Identify and play the scales and arpeggios needed to navigate a C blues, starting in one octave and expanding across the fingerboard.
-
-
-
FOCUS 4 - Roots, Octaves & 5ths
Learn how to move through the blues using root notes while staying aligned with the form and maintaining steady time.
Learn how to move through the blues using root notes while staying aligned with the form and maintaining steady time.
-
FOCUS 5 — Adding the 3rd
Play a full chorus using roots only, focusing on time, form, and anticipating each chord change.
Play a full chorus using roots only, focusing on time, form, and anticipating each chord change.
-
-
-
What You'll Learn
Build ConfidenceWe break things down into simple, manageable parts so you never feel overwhelmed. As you progress, you’ll develop both skill and self-assurance, one step at a time.
Learn New ApproachesThrough thoughtful examples and guided exploration, you'll learn to approach obstacles with fresh eyes. This course is about unlocking flexibility, not following formulas.
Gain Practical ToolsEach lesson is designed to equip you with useful strategies you can immediately put into action. It’s about learning with purpose and seeing real results.