2 Systems to Help Developing Your Walking Basslines Chops!

[@anterix1999]

It's not just a walk. When you take balance you really fly, Anthony. Excellent lessons!

[@Steadyworking864]

I needed to listen to this one!!

[@aaronreece6899]

Hey Anthony! First off man, love your videos. I’m pretty envious of the hair too. So I was going through some of your play along videos and was wondering how long you spend on a transcription? What’s your approach to breaking them down then getting them up to speed? And most importantly how do you analyze what the player is doing so you can use it on your own basslines? I was wondering this when I was attempting to learn Coltrane’s solo on Giant Steps. I learned the first few bars and then though I have no idea why he is even doing what he is doing. Can you answer these questions of make a video? Thanks man!!

[@Horsujbass]

Great video Anthony, as usual :D

[@JeffSeaIndustries]

So to clarify, I need to learn my scales?? Lol lol I’m on it! Thanks for the cool material!

[@makumbolindo3566]

and your arpeggios

[@Kadehr]

excellent!

[@urmero67]

Do you use the second system (target 3,5,7) w rhythm changes do you find it works as effectively w 2 chords per bar? I tried it and sounds awkward..

[@AnthonyMuthurajah]

urmero67 what you might wanna try is the first system first and eventually the 2nd. Rhythm changes is tricky in general. I am looking to do a lesson on that next. Comping and soloing 😊✌🏽

[@urmero67]

Anthony M thanks Anthony .. Brilliant channel u got there

[@laurobass]

when you have two chords per bar, try playing the root on beat 1 and a chromatic approach note to the next root.. check out Ed Friedland's book ;)

[@johncarrod4277]

Great lesson. Its amazing how well the chromatic approach method works. But (some constructive criticism...) in the second part it could be said that you are loosing the chord structure. The soloist/front men could get lost. Its a key duty for the bass to outline the chords so these guys no where they are don't you think? Greats, like Ray Brown, manage to outline the chords while interweaving counter melodies; now that's something to strive for!

[@atelier3985]

Yes I agree the 2nd method is kind of missing the root a lot. Pianists want the bass to play the root so that they can go where ever they want. If the pianist and the bass both dont outline the chord it would lose the melodic content. Read that some where. May be Aimee Nolte said that. But I guess Kieth Jarret's bassist, Garry Peacock plays in that style as well.....but that's another level of a Trio .......

[@atelier3985]

Yes I agree the 2nd method is kind of missing the root a lot. Pianists want the bass to play the root so that they can go where ever they want. If the pianist and the bass both dont outline the chord it would lose the melodic content. Read that some where. May be Aimee Nolte said that. But I guess Kieth Jarret's bassist, Garry Peacock plays in that style as well.....but that's another level of a Trio .......

[@deepsarkar3888]

Hello Anthony, while walking is it always best to follow the melody of the song or do you also use basic/advanced substitute chords if you have a Keyboard player, who can play the chords? Please tell me your approach while you construct a walking line.Thanks :)

[@AnthonyMuthurajah]

You always play to the lead singer/instrument at any given point. As a bassist, your primary function is time and sound. Lay it down and let others do whatever else is needed. Key point is to play for the song and the lead instrument. Hope that helps. Cheers :)

[@deepsarkar3888]

Thank you for your advice sir, i shall keep in mind, but please do tell your approach while constructing a walking line if you can. Do you experiment with your lines, if yes, how much?

[@AnthonyMuthurajah]

There is no specific way I approach walking basslines at the moment. But anything and everything I did is purely based on the lesson here. There's nothing more you need to do. Use your ears and just keep practicing.

[@deepsarkar3888]

Thank You sir for taking your time out for replying yet again. :)

[@deanmartin7370]

Hey, love your videos and playing. Sorry if you're already answered this, but I've been curious as to why you play a Squier bass as a professional musician. I don't think they're bad instruments at all, in many ways they are underrated, but I wonder why it is your instrument of choice?

[@AnthonyMuthurajah]

hey Dean. thanks for your question but believe it or not, you're the first person to ask me such a specific question. I'm more than happy to answer :) So for the longest time i was playing a whole bunch of basses from yamaha, sadowsky mainly. All great instruments for sure but eventually because of my RSI problem on my wrist, i had to downsize to a 4 string and this bass was with a friend who lent it to me initially. Obviously I had a preset notion that it is not a good instrument, it's just a squier but down the road the squier proved me and many others wrong. It made me work hard to get a sound and I love a good challenge. So over the years i found myself very much inclined to this bass and it's sound. I've recorded multiple projects with it and it just sounds like a million bucks while it actually only costs 250-300 haha. I would love to acquire more gear down the road but this guy has a special spot in my heart. It's a testament to sound being a production from your fingers through the instrument and not just the instrument alone. Sorry to respond with an essay but I hope that answers your question :)

[@deanmartin7370]

Hey, thanks for getting back to me. I really do believe Squiers quality control has gone up by a lot, especially given the price and the name on the headstock. With Squier, expectations are already set low.. but in recent years they're set up to play like instruments 3x the price. And man if anyone can make a Squier look good, it's by playing Giant Steps at speed on one! I can only play it at about 1/4 speed right now, still need a lot more practice. I've watched yours probably 200 times haha, and heard Coltrane's original at least 2,000

[@deanmartin7370]

And hey if you're even out of video ideas... I would love a lesson or solo on Trinkle Tinkle! Well You Needn't or Tune Up would be awesome too. Or anything on the album Stereo Drive

[@Howtochooseproperhandle]

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