If you’ve ever asked yourself how complex your walking bass lines need to be, this post is for you.
In my latest lesson over on the eBassGuitar YouTube channel, I walk you through 10 different walking bass lines that build gradually in complexity—from the simplest root-5 patterns all the way through to melodic, chromatic, rhythmically rich lines that will seriously stretch your fingers and musical mind.
The best part? You get to decide which one is best.
What’s Inside the Lesson:
- 10 walking bass lines demonstrated in order of complexity
- Core techniques: 2-feel, 4-feel, chromaticism, passing notes, triplets, rhythmic variation, melodic phrasing
- Every line uses the same 3-6-2-5 progression in F major, so you can easily compare and experiment
All of these ideas come straight from my book The Essential Guide to Walking Bass, which this lesson is based on.
To make it super easy to follow along, I’ve put together a free PDF with all 10 lines written out in standard notation and tab. Perfect for printing or loading up on your tablet.
Why This Matters
There’s no “one size fits all” approach to walking bass. What works in a slow blues might be totally wrong for an up-tempo jazz tune. This lesson shows how each level adds a new flavour—and invites you to think critically about what fits best in a given context.
So, which line is your favourite? Do you love the clean, foundational sound of level 1? Or are you more into the wild, soloistic vibes of line 10? Leave a comment in the video!
See you on the next lesson,
James