The Jazz Bass Line Book

Publisher : Advance Music

This is a comprehensive approach to the construction of improvised bass lines. Intended for beginners and professionals alike, the book deals with playing in "2", creating walking bass lines, 3/4 time, using a "broken feel", modal and slash-chord harmony, ballads, and much more.

Each chapter is full of fundamental and advanced concepts and ideas, accompanied by transcribed examples from the masters of jazz bass playing.

Mike Downes is currently the head of the bass departement at prestigious Humber College in Toronto. He is much in demand as a clinician, and he continues to be one of the most sought after bassists in Canada.

Chapter 1: Chordal Bass Lines
Scalar Bass Lines
Using Melody in Bass Lines
Using Harmony in Bass Lines
Using Rhythm in Bass Lines
Blues Transcriptions (Comparison View)
Blues Transcriptions (Play View)
Chapter 2: Minor Blues
Chapter 3: II V I Progression
Israel Crosby Bass Lines
Chapter 4: Rhythm Changes
Rhythm Changes Transcriptions (Comparison View)
Rhythm Changes Transcriptions (Play View)
Chapter 5: Playing in "2"
Chapter 6: Playing in 3/4
Chapter 7: Bass Lines in Ballads
Chords and Harmonics on Bass
Chapter 8: Bass Lines in Modal Harmony
Intervallic Bass Lines
Chapter 9: Changes and More Changes (Giant Steps)
Chapter 10: Slash Chords and Bass Lines
Chapter 11: Playing With a Broken Feel
Chapter 12: Over the Barline Rhythms
Chapter 13: Bass Lines in Latin Music
Chapter 14: Putting It Into Practice
Time Feel
Appendix: Essential Jazz Standards