The SIMPLEST walking bass line formula - EXACTLY where to start

[@ferociousfil5747]

To all beginner/intermediate bass players, this will throw you out of just root note playing and even help you compose bass lines on the fly. Probably the most Eye opening for me was learning how to walk. Now go have some fun and funk

[@beatbrick]

Im sorry but this video is not for beginners, you need some medium knowledge to really understand everything that's happening here... Not saying it's a bad video, just not for amateurs.

[@shayh.3556]

@@beatbrick Agreed

[@imglub]

People sound like they are gate keeping bass knowledge lol. Beginners can learn what they want. They may know what numbers mean, calm down 😂

[@shayh.3556]

@@imglub I think a lot of music teachers lowkey gatekeep theory and make things way more difficult than need be. Lol

[@bugs4680]

I know nothing about bass ,but have play in a band over 20 years lol

[@Hulavuta]

Having the white board and writing on it is pretty genius. So many online lessons is just the guy talking and it's easy to just lose focus and miss a bunch of stuff. Breaking it down visually makes it so much easier to remember especially in longer lessons that are 10+ minutes.

[@cheilathecat5774]

Well, that's the only way to teach music theory "blackboard" & music instrument ...

[@Goabnb94]

Its also easy for them to (and I feel Scott sometimes does it) start by just playing the roots of the chord pattern, then the next step is the solo at the start. They're good players, and they know what they are doing, but they miss the build up and go full virtuoso too quickly and we can't follow along.

[@chrisjs6123]

He’s a brilliant teacher. Love his style.

[@vitamin9165]

megabrain level IQ

[@TheEchelon]

"Genius"? People have been doing this for years.

[@Etheldeth]

"It's like making a cake, it doesn't matter what order you put the ingredients in" Bakers: "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!"

[@aljonclemente814]

everybody gangsta till the bassline starts walking

[@noahstout3173]

Bruh😂

[@danielzaslav1577]

Enjoy your 690th like

[@nicless.6827]

I like this conment. Its good

[@cesarsuarez6887]

Walking bass lines

[@Dthepianoprincess]

@@MattLockify Cause the bassline's walking away from the groove smh take my like

[@jnieuwerf]

Thanks Scott. I have been faking walking bass for 24 years, and finally now get it!

[@meemo4556]

24 years?!?

[@ethanmichael17]

This is the most musician thing I've ever heard. Winging it pretty much 90% of the time. 10/10

[@Rex-golf_player810]

@@ethanmichael17 it seems very common Its like just using whatever you interpret it to be in the back of your head and sometimes its like decently accurate

[@MrBassmaniac]

I am a sax player and I am here since all my jazz teachers have always told me: After memorizing the changes DO A WALKING BASSLINE!! So true that it is an intrinsic part of any solo!! Great content and communication, thank you sooo much!

[@AlyssaMartiniMusic]

So am i! i have my sax out right now I'mma try it :)

[@MM-ro9jn]

@@AlyssaMartiniMusic what about piano playres does it also apply to them?

[@isosnitsky]

1) Start with this 2) Add that 3) This & that 4) Also this 5) Nah, forget it

[@Rsalupen79]

[C-Eb-G-Gb] [F-A-C-B] [Bb-D-F-Gb] [G-B-D-Db] Repeat... or [C-Eb-G-Gb-F]-[A-C-Bb] - [D-F-Gb-G]-[B-D-Db-RootNote]

[@kryzabass]

To break de rules, first you have to know the rules (?

[@johnclement8913]

Are you saying Scott has to much stuff going on here and you can't comprehend exactly what he's teaching If thats what your saying I absolutely agree with you he is to fast, I can't even tell exactly where he's putting his fingers at in some places, thats not the way to teach - and yes he can (play) good bass player I give him that, I watch a number of bass player videos but to me howcast has the best videos out there pretty much with that finger board system he uses to show you where he's placing his fingers check him.

[@dawid8837]

@@johnclement8913 i agree, terrible teacher

[@joseydiaz5288]

@@johnclement8913 I believe these lessons are for "advanced players".

[@b3jojo]

And suddenly I've stumbled upon the best bass teacher on KZbin. Thanks & Cheers mate!

[@gorka7509]

As a guitar player who's never been into jazz, I've started to like it because of the bass lines. Thank god I have a cheap bass to practice these jazz bass lines because it's so much fun! Thanks for the tutorial, I love your explaining

[@rahulmurthy1763]

If youtube was there 30 years ago i wouldn't have stopped playing music after college and work in an office... now im retired and I'm limping back to music n bass. (MY Uncle) Thank you so much Master.

[@jovancirkovic8541]

I saw sooo many video lessons about learning walking bass, and this is THE ONLY ONE that explains a whole thing! Thank you Scott!

[@t.s.racing]

Thank you Scott, thousands of instructors both online and in public, and YOU'RE the only one who goes slow enough at times for the old guys like me with 5 thumbs on each hand.

[@RFDlic]

5 lefty thumbs...

[@jordanhunt4788]

I'm not even a bass player, but I've just subscribed to this channel because of this lesson. This guy is amazing!

[@vincentm3890]

Hi Scott, Im a member of your academy and like always you make things clear and simple to understand. There are many online Utube bass instructors who are highly informative but one has to play the video several times to grasp it. Your instructions give us the building blocks in a linear fashion to follow more advanced study easier. Youre a great teacher and I love being a member!

[@devinebass]

Ahhh thanks for the kind words Vincent! :)

[@victorxarisorg]

I've tried several, and this is the best approach to walking bass lines BY FAR. It is completely gradual, taking you from wherever you are in your knowledge/technique, and then moving you one step at a time so that no student feels overwhelmed. And on top of that, he shows how to make it musical and interesting at each step. It helped me tremendously. Huge thanks, Scott!

[@nachtmusik2036]

I want to thank you for sharing this. When I was taking bass lesson with my old bass teacher, this was exactly how he taught me. He has since passed away, but I’m glad to have found this channel. If ever I pick up the upright bass again, I can definitely reference your channel. Looking forward to more! 🙂

[@Proximo011]

Scott thanks to you, salute, you just made my day as a guitar player. You explained more in 20 minutes than my guitar teacher on walking bass did for my 8 years in school. People should never say that a bass player can´t teach a guitar player and vice versa :)

[@zenobardot]

I'm sure I'm not the only guitar player who learned a lot about the guitar fretboard by picking up a bass and learning walking bass lines. You learn a lot about both chord tones and how to be melodic, something that lots of beginning guitar players don't know that they need to focus on. At least anyone not playing "Louie Louie" for a whole set. I guess some genres are purposefully primitive, and that's fine.

[@MaineBassGuy]

Scott, I've followed you for years and honestly the playing 14:10-14:50 was some of the most enjoyable to listen to. I'm not even primarily a jazz player. Your enjoyment was evident. Thanks for that moment, it spoke to me.

[@dougarnold7955]

Okay I understood and knew this stuff. I'm not stylistically jazz but these concepts are great for any style including heavy rock styles. Chromatic notes are great to use as a leading note moving into a powerful chord change to build intensity. Thanks. Great video.

[@awoodbury08]

I've known about scott for years now. I just watched this video and my mind is blown. I've never quite been able to find a video that breaks this info down so simple. Now I understand. Thanks scott

[@massimookissed1023]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGTIoImpmammm7c (5mins)

[@dartme18]

@@massimookissed1023 That's nothing. This one is way better.

[@FabioTripodi]

Couldn't find any better explanation on the entire web. You're the best. I'm aiming to join you on players path!!!

[@gentrymagician]

For me, this is one of the most useful videos on all of KZbin. Thank you, Scott.

[@louisaccardi6808]

That is the best break down of this that I have ever seen. Excellent!

[@steveroberson3766]

Duuuuuuude! I just picked up the bass this week having been a drummer all my life, and I went from 1 in bass understanding to a 5 within 15 minutes. This is exactly what I've been looking for! I knew chord structure before this, so this plain construction of a walking line pattern makes all the sense in the world! Thank you, thank you for this tutorial!!!

[@bbob288]

have to say imo this is the most useful guitar / bass lesson online. Your right, walking basslines unlock the entire neck and improvisation, hell music composition and getting to the next chord as a whole without just blandly strumming chords

[@timbuktug3321]

I just got my Bass for Christmas and I’m excited to learn.

[@grahamcrackers7205]

Timbuktu G same! Lfmao

[@timbuktug3321]

incompetent bug awesome!

[@laszloelias9012]

me too

[@corcoransullivan1562]

You have a rare mix of being able to teach AND being a badass player. I’m a guitar player that always liked to dabble in bass, you have some heat info, thank you!

[@vanpid]

I feel like everytime they jump cut after Scott starts getting in a groove, like at 14:52. There's like 10 minutes of him grooving out that got cut out :P love it.

[@EdwoodCA]

3:28 "Yeah.... Jazz" ha... nice!

[@johnnymccollum9712]

I loved the lesson and I’m about as green as it gets with bass, play guitar but only from ear and really wanted to learn walking bass lines.. sounds insanely complicated except that just like guitar I have to know my fret board and what notes I’m looking for. Only bad part is when you played your notes as examples.. I couldn’t hear them at all. Thought my speakers went out. Otherwise I am stoked I found you and can’t wait to learn more from you! Great teacher and with one lesson I’m motivated and inspired to learn more.

[@talrodriguez1206]

I have to preface this by saying that I am a drummer wanting to learn bass & electric guitar. I don't have either yet and don't know the fret board at all. But I find your lessons so interesting and informative! I do have some musical background (as in melodic instruments such as piano, recorder and trumpet) so it isn't ALL foreign to me. But I understand that I do have much to learn. Thank you for the lessons. You have a creative way of teaching. Using the white board helps so much! Please keep the lessons coming. You are greatly appreciated!

[@JWH-01]

This is a great lesson. Thank you! I have played piano for many years, guitar for a couple of years, now I am just beginning on the bass. I have a lot to learn. It is a lot of fun!

[@mikeb656]

🎷❤️🤦

[@cullenkirkpatrick1903]

Thank you so much for this! I've never understood walking bass for years and within 10 minutes I understand. I'm indebted

[@bannanapancake]

Wow, this just rocked my mind, I’ve learned a lot of Scott’s quick licks and implied them into playing, but I finally see how this is impressionable to all styles... I’m on it! Thanks Scott!!

[@devinebass]

AWESOME! That's what I like to hear :)

[@lailumaqasimi7179]

Scottbasslesson

[@Mike-hp7lv]

this def clarified a lot for me, I have played for 12 years and am self taught, so I have a basic understanding, but I have always just developed walks and solo's by ear. This video just showed me how much I need to go back and learn about scales and patterns in order to step my game up.

[@devinebass]

Awesome - great to hear you enjoyed it!

[@maartenarnou]

Awesome lesson! Me too, I learned most of walking bass through Ed Friedland's books. And... he's only one of the many amazing teachers that SBL Academy brings together.

[@scottmulligan3512]

The first time I heard walking bass lines, I was a kid and knew right away I wanted to do that. It was an upright but those aren't in my budget. Thank goodness for electric bass guitars, and thanks for these lessons. You Rock!

[@nerenahd]

It's a shame KZbin will only let you thumbs up once, I'd do it many times. Best lesson on the subject ever. I've always wondered what's that all about, and now it opened my mind. Cheers from Brazil, mate.

[@honzavlcek4021]

Your bass look like a well baked croissant

[@Riccardo_Silva]

And just as yummy!!!

[@quandonparleduloup]

Bruh

[@ranggasaktibudiputra1547]

@@quandonparleduloup for real tho

[@MM-ro9jn]

good image cheers

[@gernblenstein1541]

Aside from the solid basic formula and leading chromatic tones, this @12:24 is the most important point in this video. Most teachers do not make this very rudimentary point. This is where the bass can shine in a trio, for example. And it should swing.

[@Pierre50mm]

I'm taking jazz DB lessons for 4 years now and this is the most important foundation for any music in fact. Those are arpegios. Walking lines can fit very well with pop style musics. Arpegios playing is not limited to walking lines.

[@slimbeaux]

Dude, What a nice groove for something so simple. Learning from you to do things like that, simple, elegant, is why I am a member and love it so much. Ya Mon I am Soooo Grateful!

[@bethcouch1736]

Theory explained so clearly and simply. Brilliant and great lesson!

[@bluenote335]

Outstanding lesson. I need to watch it another 80 times

[@straycat7247]

Great lesson! Short, meaningful and to the point and still points to ways of expansion. Little talk and no empty show-off flashiness, except in the very first few seconds :-).

[@brianjosephmedia1086]

Man this is insane thank you so much! I swear I would pay your program if I had money, but thank you so much for keeping some of it for free, I know you put a lot of effort, time and passion into these. I've always felt interested by the bass but you were the decisive reason why I finally got my first bass 5 months ago. Seriously, you've changed the way I see walking basslines forever!

[@jonsanserino3485]

Scott - you make it seem so simple and logical!! It's great - maybe I CAN be a better player!

[@kennethschweighardt4920]

OMG, the opening solo was so awesome. What a joy to see and hear.

[@jeromechatelain5814]

Excellent j'ai l'impression d'avoir tout compris il ne reste plus qu'à mettre en pratique MERCI

[@rationalmuscle]

Best teacher/player combo I've ever seen. Thanks Scott!

[@jeansimon326]

Wow! Now I have a better appreciation of how to listen to the bass components of compositions. A HUGE THANK YOU.

[@sunjamrblues]

I own a bass, but I'm mainly a guitar player. And strangely enough, this lesson helped me with my quest to get better at guitar improv....as well as getting better at my bass. Many thanks!

[@tylerlennon9955]

I love the excitement on Scott's face when he says "I can actually play a great walking bass line with just roots and fifths." Beautiful

[@adviceman5211]

Agree with (almost) everything you've presented, I can see how Ed has impacted your playing. He's certainly impacted my playing as well !!! His walking books are THE best overview on the topic I've seen so far ! IMHO, walking bass can be integrated into virtually ANY style and still be considered walking. Case in point; I've played country for many years, and the walking bass lines are RARELY improvised, yet STILL considered walking bass lines. I believe THIS is what separates JAZZ walking bass from any other walking form, is the improvisitory nature of the lines and the music in general !! Just my opinion !! Thanks for your wonderful site/ academy !!!

[@pazymino2008]

I am a member and I am learning so much. Very happy with what Scott has put together in his teaching website. Amazing

[@williamfabiano543]

Your a great bass teacher and are helping me and many others. I thank you for your valuable information and dedication to teaching and playing bass.

[@peterjosvai9804]

you really are a very good teacher! and a brilliant teaching method designer, too I enjoy learning from you, very much! thank you

[@blackhartfamilygaming8424]

I REALLY wanna do the free trial, gonna check it out soon and by deciding factor on keeping and paying for it is gonna be if Scott rambles as much as he does on youtube. Often lose focus of what he is talking about because he rambles so much. LOVE the information given.

[@skullbellztv5642]

Watched it 3x practiced it just like you said and wow came up with some groovy lines. Thanks dude!!

[@Cleeemoo]

I never really knew how to approach walking bass lines without crying. Now I'm not crying anymore. Thanks a lot, Sir !

[@devinebass]

Boom - perfect! :)

[@tji1087]

Thank you Scott! This reminded me of my school days. Just lovely! I should have made this comment the first time I saw this video 1 year ago or so. So, my suggestion is to add one more point there before point 5: Scales + chromatic notes. Something like | C D Eb G | F G G# A | Bb A G Gb | G F E D | etc... OK, so many new ideas for separate points are coming in my mind like upward scale, downward scale, Root + 2 + 3 + 5, pentatonic walking bass, .... Anyway, just some food for thought.

[@pierrelataillade7564]

Hey Scott.... just a short wave and a howdy Doddy .... I realize that your time is limited to focus on the little guys out here. but its good to see that someone out there is thinking of us. Please no that you are our hero....Secretly we want to play just like you..... thank you and Stay safe

[@devinebass]

The reason Scott sometimes wears gloves is because he has a neurological condition called Focal Dystonia and the gloves prevent him from having involuntary muscle movements. Cheers!!

[@evanjones5859]

Thanks Scott - that's a wonderfully clear and simple approach to what can be a bewildering topic.

[@devinebass]

No probs Evan, glad you enjoyed it!

[@olimpiomanuel917]

This is the best lesson about walking bass. congratulations

[@_british2431]

this video helped me finally understand what major / minor thirds are and how to find them!

[@devinebass]

Glad you've found this helpful!

[@samuelll3166]

I think this is the only bass lesson needed. Jheeeeez! Tons to take from this. Cheers!

[@fuzzyduck1199]

Best lesson I've seen online. The whiteboard really helps.

[@richardrichard5409]

My first walking bass line? All my loving The Beatles, Macca does it extremely well😎👍

[@richardburchett]

Great formula. The chromatic note helps to build that little bit of tension that resolves into the next chord change. It seems to gives it the the jazzy sound I've always heard pros do but never understood. I'd like to just learn more chord shapes and plug things together. I'm guilty of just walking up straight up 1, 3, 5 with each chord change. I can see how when you're on a higher string, you jump down two strings and play the lower three and then start progression going back up. It makes the playing more linear. Learning shapes for 3, 5, 1 or any other combination seems to make it more flavorful. Great, great lesson

[@corcoransullivan1562]

No seriously, after hearing the rest of the video, you have an awesome touch man keep up the great work!

[@downtoearth5108]

Thank you Scott, I'm starting with you to learn the Bass.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Guys in Nashville made a good living playing 1-5 and 1-3-5 boogie. 1990s especially. Walking is an art. Scott said this isn't a free for all, that what jazz sounds like to me. It's just way above my pay grade.

[@babayaga1767]

i did that for a long time. blues and country. it's definitely a groove thing. i agree with you on the jazz thing

[@chrisbassartist4344]

You have the best videos on KZbin!! You inspire me to improve just want to say thank you 🤟🏻

[@devinebass]

Thanks for the kind words Chris!

[@williammorson1535]

Thanks Scotty. That is very very useful. I love the jazzy sound / feel of the walking bass.

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Riccardo_Silva]

Very nice! After some practice you have to let -right- notes "ring" in your head and then play them...i think it's all about constant improvisation

[@timffoster]

For some reason, this lesson clicked in ways that others have not . Thanks!

[@mattfunk4319]

You are an absolute godsend man. Thank you for your service

[@tylerbell5162]

Scott, can you do a video about walking bass rhythms? Most bass videos, somewhat oddly, focus on harmony or melody and assume the rhythm is clear. The little skips in rhythm you add in are a thing I can't quite master. Ex 4a starts w/ a skip and that's easy enough. When you add them mid line such as Ex 4b in the middle of F7, it just magically works and makes the line so much better.

[@devinebass]

Absolutely Tyler. Until I release a lesson covering that, here's a VERY old one I found for ya - scottsbasslessons.com/blog/walking-bass-swing-feel

[@tylerbell5162]

@@devinebass Awesome! Thanks!

[@giuseppetateo2816]

for the first time in my life my bass actually started to walk! Thanks Scott! Sometimes i find him wasting his time in the bar down the road...

[@marcmiller2207]

Just recently subscribed and have to say this is the easiest means I've ever seen of demystifying walking bass lines! Can't wait to dig into more content. Great job Scott 😁

[@VmShpman82]

Thanks Scott. I wrote that down on my notes so I'll have something to work with. I'm still getting use to the exercises in the beginning. I like how it speeds up. I'll try to catch on.

[@kevinsim1514]

Thank you for this! Please sir, could you make another video explaining how to rock a walking bass line over a modal interchange?

[@christianschwartz9876]

great work, man. sociable, friendly and to the point very rapidly. *Danke* from Germany :D

[@Frodohotep]

Great lesson! Months worth of work surveyed in a few minutes. Some deep practicing and creating can come from just this formula, I’m thinking. I’m just a very, very beginner: Gotta go learn my fretboard!

[@RicCrouch]

I was watching this and thought "This chord progression sounds SO familiar!" Then you mentioned Ed Friedland and I knew where I'd heard it before. :)

[@dutchwog]

Wicked solo at the beginning Scott. Loved it!!!!

[@devinebass]

Cheers Dean! :)

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This was phenomenal. I am just learning to play Bass (already play guitar), but I'm not a big Theory-guy, (which I'll need to step-up). You explained this perfectly. You are a great teacher Scott. oNe LovE from NYC

[@merqury5]

Great lesson. I did it with my 5 string no problem at all, roots are roots. I am groot

[@esitoris]

Would like to go a try this as soon as I get back home!... Think I am going to catch this "Walking bass thing" I was for long longing to as not having bass as my primary instrument. This is finally so well explained and shown!!! Many thanks Scott!! :)

[@ALKalashnikov]

So so clear. Whiteboard, almost no video edition, no background music or stuff like that, this is education at its finest.

[@FunkadelicPancho]

Would love to see a lesson on walking over a progression with more sophisticated voicings

[@devinebass]

On it's way! ;)

[@MrHestichs]

The voicings dosen't matter to the walking bass line. I think you meant chord quality! Sure voicings matters to the whole picture but they aren't what we base walking lines ones. For example, it dosen't matter if a piano player plays a Cmaj7 as E G B C, or C E G B. It matter what function and quality the chord has!

[@FunkadelicPancho]

@@MrHestichs Its early lol "color" would have also been a better word

[@josephdrach2276]

@@MrHestichs What a pianist Usually does and what a bassist Usually does are two different things.Of course a bassist can play any note any time but unless your playing some way outside music,your not going to get much in the way of positive feedback for wandering about "wherever".People want to hear absolutely perfect rhythm from the bass player,clear harmony and not a lot of mumbo jumbo that is very good for a solo but baffles the band.Keep it simple!Roots and fifths alone can keep you well received if your keeping the time correctly.Adding thirds and inversions of traids(example- C maj.in root position =CEG 1st inversion,EGC.Second inversion, GCE.You can use the B as an occasional arpeggio note or more likely,in the role of a chromatic below the C,even though a Cmaj 7 has a B in it.Mostly,band members want clear,steady,simple lines,walking or otherwise.We are not pianists so we don't Usually wander that far from the basics.I might do a quick passing triplet like an Edom7 triad going from Cdom7 to Fmaj.Maybe a D Augmented 7 in the middle of a C blues.This throws a bit of colors into the mix,but it doesn't predominate.

[@dariondelrey9176]

supreme lesson. what about bass player fashion code. faux fur work for most bass playing styles? i want to work with neon plastic green and earth colors.

[@64jazz]

This guy Scott is an amazing player and awesome teacher; I wish he were around when I started to learn ... Many years ago 🤪👊🏾

[@timcorbo5019]

Good video. I was just starting to learn this when I stopped my bass lessons and it's good to get the data again with a couple of added bits.

[@theftking]

I love how casually this guy gets godly bass tone whilst holding a dry-erase marker. That’s nuts.

[@Joetime90]

Ed Friedland's old Building Walking Basslines book is really good. I would recommend it to beginners as it gives you a basic theory lesson, teaches you to read, learn the neck, and the backing tracks don't suck.

[@josephdrach2276]

Watching Scott teach helps me learn how to teach better.If only there was a lesson on motivation.Students who don't practice and expect results make me nuts.Why don't people practice?);-(

[@richardtaylor8189]

Very nice job, Scott. I knew this in my head, but appreciated your take on the "formula," and especially how you then "broke" it. I would like to know some more progressions, and I think I will seek that out.

[@KC-fb8ql]

I just discovered your channel and I’m breaking through some barriers in my learning. Thanks!!

[@londonemski]

13:46 'Sounds cool, right?'. I love Scott so much.

[@remyslim1756]

I've been trying to learn this type of information for quite some time. I actually have a book by Ed Friedland, and I was trying to learn by the book and was struggling because I didn't know how to properly label the notes in the book. I didn't know how to outline the chords or which notes I was supposed to play even though it says the chord above each note in the measure. Thank you for this. You're a great teacher.