| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Boogie Walk! | |
| Brotherdavies -- 01/05/2005, 09:40:10 -- #10128 | |
| Hi I have read all the advice about ‘walking that bass’ on this site and I am beginning to improvise walking bass on standards (mainly ii-V-I sections). However, coming from a blues/boogie/rock’n’roll background, I may have been walking for sometime without really knowing it! For example, I can play this left hand pattern over major chords in my sleep! : Example in the key of C: C E G A / Bb A G E 1. This would be played one bass note per beat. IS THIS WALKING BASS? 2. Say I hit each note twice (2 bass notes per beat with a swing feel), is this no longer walking bass any more but boogie? 3. And how about if, using the 8 beat to the bar approach, I alternate the original bass note with the same bass note an octave higher (played with left hand only). Am I walking?! I guess what I am trying to do is somehow see how the Jazz walking bass relates to R&B and boogie left hand techniques - how to use ALL my musical knowledge when jazzing up a standard! Cheers Bro’ Davies | |
| marksdg -- 01/05/2005, 10:04:44 -- #10129 | |
| Yes, I would call any left hand pattern where you play one note per beat a "walking base". You can insert boogie walking base patterns in the middle of jazzier patterns sometimes. You can also do walking octaves. I would say if you are doing a shuffle (2 notes per beat) it is no longer walking base. But anything can be inserted in small amounts into a walking base line and the line is still called walking base. Some base players walk with a whole lot of extra notes thrown in not on the beat, and some of the on-the-beat notes missing. | |
| Brotherdavies -- 01/06/2005, 04:07:32 -- #10155 | |
| Mark Thank you for your reply. I have been listening to Dave McKenna recently and I like the way he plays stride/strumming/walking all within the same tune. Bro' | |
| paddyallen -- 01/12/2005, 13:12:44 -- #10313 | |
| Try listening to Ralph Sutton. 'Eye Opener' is the CD title. It certainly is. When people on these forums mention they want to still relate to the old masters in jazz piano. I totally agree. I would advise any young aspiring jazz pianist to listen and even see on tape and so forth those people that produced such art in music. Ralph's playing reflects all that is good in my view. It is harmonic and melodic with a solid left hand that is better than most and as good as it gets. He does not need Drums or Double Bass he is the trio in one wonderful solo performance. Alan | |
| Brotherdavies -- 01/13/2005, 14:59:43 -- #10356 | |
| Alan Thank you for your reply. I will locate and listen. For me, the whole attraction of the piano is that you have your bass, rhythm and lead instruments at your finger tips. Bro' | |
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