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nylenny
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291
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 Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: Walking "licks" |
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At Mark's suggestion, I started a collection of guitar licks. Whenever I transcribe a ii-V lick I really like, I write it in my notebook for future reference.
Does anyone do this for walking bass lines?
I've noticed that there are many formulas for root movements. For example, using 1, 3, 4, #4 going from a tonic to a dominant chord. Does it make sense to categorize these great cliches? And, if so, how would you organize them?
My thought for organizing would be to collect cliches based on root movement. |
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Mark
VM Coach
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 479
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Walking "licks" |
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| nylenny wrote: | Does anyone do this for walking bass lines?
I've noticed that there are many formulas for root movements. For example, using 1, 3, 4, #4 going from a tonic to a dominant chord. Does it make sense to categorize these great cliches? And, if so, how would you organize them?
My thought for organizing would be to collect cliches based on root movement. |
Len,
My advice would be to write model walks as opposed to a walking lick book, because even a few choruses of jazz blues or one chorus of a standard can contain so many formulas within the context of the progresssion itself.
Part of the reason for this is that the quarter note is the common denominator, which means that there are simply fewer ways to move from root to root, depending on whether the change is every two, four, eight, or sixteen beats. The first two are easily the most used. All for now...
- Mark
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"Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple" - Mingus |
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nylenny
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Mark. One thing I think I've noticed from transcribing is that some walking patterns seem to be based on chord substitutions. So, for example, if the progression is moving in 4 beat cadences, it can be re-harmonized with substitute chords moving every 2 beats, which adds some nice interest to the line. Is this my imagination, or do bass players actually conceive lines this way? |
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Mark
VM Coach
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 479
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| nylenny wrote: | | Thanks Mark. One thing I think I've noticed from transcribing is that some walking patterns seem to be based on chord substitutions. So, for example, if the progression is moving in 4 beat cadences, it can be re-harmonized with substitute chords moving every 2 beats, which adds some nice interest to the line. Is this my imagination, or do bass players actually conceive lines this way? |
Len,
Not typically. If you detect subs in a bass part it usually stems from a decision by the piano player or the arrangement itself. If anything, I'm more often stripping away subs to better address the fundamental harmony in the bass role and get the ensemble to swing. 
- Mark
_________________
"Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple" - Mingus |
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