I’ve changed the feel of the play-along track for this tune from Latin Rock to Swing. As a bassist, this means you will lock in with the Ride Cymbal (which is playing quarter notes) rather than the Snare and Bass Drum. A good rule of thumb here is that you should listen from the bottom of the drum set up when playing Rock and Funk and the top of the drum set down when playing swing. Try to make your quarter notes ring as if they were cymbals. For the bass line, I’ve used a repeating pattern of R-3-5-b5 for the dominant riff. This voice-leads by ½ step for the ii-V-I progressions that make up the bulk of this tune. I’ve recorded myself playing the bass line and also left room for you to practice playing the line as well.

The great New York bassist Lincoln Goines once stated in an interview that he felt like he was always soloing. In walking bass, you’re continually improvising a bass line by combining different chord tones and approach tones to create a functional and interesting foundation for the music. You’re the bridge between the harmony and the steady quarter note pulse of the Swing feel. You can make or break the feel of the music, so give this as much attention as you would your soloing.

• Turn Down Swing (mp3, 1.6meg)
• Turn Down swing no bass (mp3, 1.6meg)

Peace and Low Notes,
Roy C. Vogt
Nashville Bassist
Bass Instructor, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

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