TZ. your lessons are great and very useful! Thank you for the lessons, its really broken the concept down into easy to understand sections that have really helped my playing. So, for instance, the chord of C major is made from 3 notes – C, E, G – they are called the "chord tones". Tomasz. Now, when you blend them all together you notice how interesting they start to sound. Make sure that you analyse the above information with instrument in your hand. lol thanks Tomasz. Make sure that you can fluently play variations on major and minor triad finding the 3rd and the 5th both above and below the root. I subscribed for free materials, but couldn’t find a link for backing tracks. I’m glad I can help. We notice straight away that both chords has the root and perfect fifth but what differs between them is third and seventh. the topics are really well explained, thanks alot for your time and your effort!, I always wanted learn a way to improvise in a blues-jazz field, and you make it easy dude! Thank you for very good lessons. FANTASTIC! Thanks Anand! If you downloaded lessons materials for the course you will find there an example of jazz blues in a few different keys. Scott discusses why chord tones are a foundational pillar to everything you play on the bass and also shows you a great way of using scales for bass runs and fills. Stay in touch. Really great lesson. Scale Tones and Rhythmic Weight. In this chord tones lesson we will learn to target the notes in each individual chord of the 12-bar blues progression and adjust our soloing approach slightly for each one.By targeting the specific chord tones contained in each chord we break out of the box of minor pentatonic playing and … Strings I use in my video are Fender nickel-plated steel strings. In Module 1 we will apply chord tone patterns to one of the most popular jazz standard “Autumn Leaves” and Jazz blues. Just signed up for the backing tracks and notation – I breezed through the first module (not that I’m not going to have to practice these concepts over and over to internalize them…). Any problems let me know. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Thanks Steve. They are very popular and widely used in different types of music, not only jazz. Comments like yours motivates me to create more content although it is a very time consuming process. Now it is your turn to take action and measure your progress. The triad gives us extremely clear sound of the basic chord. The better grasp you have of chord tones, the better you will understand how to connect chords and build better … As a teacher myself (but not of music) I appreciate your approach having a balance of theory and application, with a good measure of enthusiam for your subject thrown in as well. Great matherials, really pedagogic. I finally understand! They are also distinguished by … I have sent you instructions to your att.net email with the instructions. 5 reasons why FRETLESS BASS SUCKS (and how to fix it), How to play BLAZING FAST BASS FILLS (economy picking), Master the ENTIRE fingerboard with just ONE SCALE. After you put your name and email address into side bar with free materials, you will be sent an email with the download link for backing tracks and PDFs. Could you, please, send me one. I quite like the sound of the bass in your videos. Chord Tone Soloing for Bass Guitar: Master Arpeggio-Based Soloing for Jazz Bass (jazz bass soloing Book 1) - Kindle edition by Alexander, Joseph, Pettingale, Tim. I is brilliant to hear that you guys are gaining so much from my lessons. In your opinion it’s better (for study purpose) to play it with the same shapes but on the 11th fret or it’s better to use other shapes remaining on the first position? Nobody else there seems to be confused by that….. Is there a standard default jazz blues progression? I normally use nickel plated steel roundwound strings and set my amp fairly flat tonally. Chord tones are the foundation of the note choice pyramid. They are the core of the chord, the juicy notes. Let’s illustrate that. Understanding the sound and function of these chord tones is super important to your success as a bass player. Good for fills, but can get tiring for the listener. Hey Tomasz, I just finished Module 1. You’ve put a huge amount of work and dedication into it and you will surely be rewarded for it, one way or another. I am really enjoying your course and now I understand much better how jazz bass works. I am going to explain main chord types construction step by step, so you will know how to easily find individual chord tones on the fretboard. you acctually inspired me to study jazz bass for real at university, Tomasz. I am interested in walking bass lines but equally believe your lessons will add to the foundation to benefit other musical styles, enjoy your beer and thanks again, Hi Neil! The PDF file will help you visualize that…writing it down on paper will also be helpful to more understand the difference between these chord types. In this bass lesson we review chord tones and their rhythmic weight and apply them. I would like to thank you for the time and effort you put into creating this site. Wondering where to find chord charts to accompany the backing tracks I’ve downloaded? To start this lesson, we first need a chord progression. Thanks for a beer;-), HI Tomasz, firstly thanks for these fantastic resources. Chord tone – Nonchord tone – Chord tone Preparation – Dissonance – Resolution: Nonchord tones are categorized by how they are used. I already had a fair understanding of chord tones, and I can already hold my own pretty well as far as Blues goes, but I have been stumped as to where to find good explanations of just what my favorite players (Roscoe Beck and Travis Carlton, just to name a couple) were playing sometimes, because they both throw a lot of jazz licks into their bass lines. In our first standard “Autumn Leaves”, when half-diminished chord occurs, remember to play b5th as opposed to perfect 5th. To finish off, play half step above or below the root of the next chord to create tension and release. Mick, No worries Mick, I am very glad you find it helpful. Thanks unending…. I have not received the link to the pdf and backing tracks thanks for the great lessons. Cheers, Tomasz. But let stick to the fact that by doing so, you will get the control over using chord tones and be able to instantly find their location on the fretboard. Pretty much all of the lessons I have previously found online either just show you the notes with no explanation of the theory behind it, or they get so bogged down in theory that they forget to tell you how to apply it, which rapidly becomes very mind numbing. I started playing bass about 3 months ago and have been looking at many (easily more than 100) online bass lessons. Thanks for this. It is great to hear that it’s worth it to continue the work on course and further lessons. Let’s talk about how to play triads, arpeggios & chord tones on the bass guitar. For instance, a C-major triad contains the tones C, E and G; its inversion is determined by which of these tones is the lowest note (or bass note) in the chord.. again I deleted everything on my pc and I lost them You have to be in control of using them over the entire fretboard as this knowledge is going to constantly accompany you on your musical path. Do not be afraid to spend adequate amount of time to really know them inside-out. I can’t wait for your book about how to practice arpeggios on bass. These notes can be used on any type of chord as they do not specify if chord has a major or minor quality. This new bass lesson is about soloing using only "chord tones". Your email address will not be published. Thanks very much for this excellent course, Tomasz! Bridge pickup about 90% up and tone control about 70%-80% up. I’m really enjoying working through the lessons and the logical way you break the concepts down. Learning how to find the different chord tones and use them will let you play really interesting and great sounding bass lines while still fulfilling your job of grounding and supporting the harmonies of the song. Where have you been hiding? Well done and thanks for being generous with your time and knowledge. My set up on the bass: Neck pickup right up. Bruce! Hi, I have just sent you an email with the links, Best, Tomasz, Hi Mike, Tomasz, Tomasz, you are a genius. The most important distinction is whether they occur on a strong or weak beat and are thus either accented or unaccented nonchord tones. Thanks a lot for all your lessons! So many new things that I could learn.. Thank you so much, I look forward to continuing on with modules 2-4 and buying you more beer! Tomasz, Congratulations and thanks for your excellent explanations. Thanks for the lesson they are really helpful. PS. Hopefully you'll see that you can create a meaningful solo without using a ton of stuff. A simple explanation for very complex things. Thanks Eric! These three chord types may obviously have a variety of different voicings, but the vast majority of these voicings has usually one of mentioned chords as a base. Take care. All the best. There are so many advantages of practicing arpeggios (in the right way of course), that I could spend all day talking just about it. God bless you.. Hi, you are welcome. PS. Practice, practice, practice! Try to reduce the space between them to the minimum. I also have a Jazz Bass but having played pop, R&B, funk for most of my life the sounds that I use are not that great for walking bass lines and jazz, which I have only recently become interested in. I need your advice,please recommend a’good’ bass and how much I should expect to pay for it. Thank you so much for these lessons. Chord Tones / Only One Position Exercise (L#42) | Scotts … Thanks for kind words! Chord tones are the individual notes that create a chord. Thanks, There are many many ways to approach soloing. Tomasz, Using combinations of root and 5th is the best and most solid solution when first starting to walk over chord changes. Your teaching style is excellent. Thanks for all this great organised approach to creating walking bass lines. This resource is fantastic, i just wish I could get the backing tracks to practice over., can you help please? 🙂, Hello Tomasz,I watched your video and totally agree with your views, I have spent far too much time aimlessly watching tutorials, I now believe I have a structure to work towards and your attitude has certainly provided inspiration. I am currently working on a book about how to practice arpeggios on bass, so watch this space! A chord tone is just a note that exists within a certain chord. I have just sent you an email with instructions. I am a complete beginner. thank you! Chord tones (Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th) are the most powerful choice you can  make when creating your walking lines. These simple patterns will help you to quickly internalise progression of “Autumn Leaves” and Jazz Blues by the root motion. You will hear them on many differet recordings. Thank you. You are an excellent Musical Director for us bass players and very inspiring. Root and 5th form a framework of a chord. Thanks for a beer 🙂 Appreciate that! Rob. Full arpeggios, including inversions. I know there are many variants of a 12 bar blues. You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. When looking at pieces of music, specifically those that have complicated textures, you will often face difficult decisions about which tones are functional to the chord and progression and which tones are embellishing those functional tones. It may take up to 40 min but usually takes less time. Thanks a lot for the lessons Tomasz. We are now getting more specific with our walking lines because the 3rd tells us about chord quality, whether is major or minor. Take care! As we just starting to learn walking lines, we have to make sure that they sound solid first. first of all thank you!!! To give you example, first 8 chords in Autumn Leaves in Gm are as follow: Cm7, F7, BbMaj7, EbMaj7, Am7b5, D7, Gm7, Gm7. Spread the word about walkingbasslessons.com. Hey, you are welcome! I will send an email round when I complete it. i ussualy dont comment nothing on any website but i must say your work and the way you give the lessons is just inspiring. No order of notes from low to high is implied when I say “chord tones.” A chord pattern is a pattern of chord tones on the bass … I truly enjoy your teaching method and especially your positive frame of mind. In regards to bass you want to buy. This course is a comprehensive guide to arpeggios, chord tones and scales with a focus of cementing their relationships in a way that will make them instantly usable within any musical situation. It is a remarkable feeling when you hear that you inspired somebody. Turbocharge your bass guitar playing with an introduction to chord tones. Please email me if you still can’t open them. I was going to maybe study some basic stuff from another site first like chord tone basics and then maybe start with your site and then maybe some lessons. Chord tones are the individual notes which make up a chord. Isolate each concept and work on it until you can pre-hear it in your head. Thanks, Steve, Hi Steve, Hi, lessons are not ready yet. That was my Dad, April 1993. Tomasz. Video lessons contain tips and tricks to push you to the next level! Tomasz, Almost forgot about this site. But exploring and practicing them will certainly open up new horizons for you and enrich your musical vocabulary and grammar. Of course not. In these patterns root of the next chord is being targeted from a half step above and below creating a strong feeling of destination. Do not move onto the next lesson too quickly, before having mastered current material. I wish you all the best in future. If you’re on a budget you can definitely go for Squire! I saw in one of the.video you are preparing lessons on arpeggios, if are ready how to access them?? There’s always something to learn from anybody. To play the bass tones you have to know where to find them on the frets. Please try again. Now our lines will sound more “in” with the chord changes. Tomasz, Hi Tomasz All the best to you too! Thank you . Remember that you can use 7th above as well as below the root. Thank you very much Martin! Let’s say that I’ve studied the Jazz Blues in F and now I want to play it in Eb. All the best! Practice hard and you will get amazing results! Again half steps are used to target the root of the next chord. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Chord Tone Soloing for Bass Guitar: Master Arpeggio-Based Soloing for Jazz Bass … Your text (writen and recorded) is clean and easy to grasp. Riffs often are built with chord tones. You deserve more than a beer! It may seem simple and easy at first, but playing the progression sticking to the roots will help you later on when we get round to targeting. Are the chords somewhere in the downloaded material? We are going to be using this concept throughout the whole course, so it is very important to understand it at the beginning. It is basically a m7 chord with flatted fifth, the other chord tones are exactly the same. Take care! Hi, Tomasz I have not received the link to the pdf and backing tracks thanks for the great lessons. Best, For Dm7, the chord tones are D, F, G, Bb. And what is most important, how SOLID they are! It is virtually guaranteed, if you stick with it, to create a mature musician with command of his instrument. After watching your videos I decided to go for it! Great lesson, thanks a lot Tomasz, it’s really helping me becoming a more complete bass player. thanks for your lessons its really helpful Hi Michael, I play and recommend Fender Jazz Bass. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Thank you, Jyhyn, Hi Jyhyn, Leading tones are also called half steps above and below and I will be using this name from now on to describe this concept. My advise is to focus on not how fancy but how solid they are! Jazz Blues on the other hand is made up mainly of dominant chords but on its progression are based numerous standards and its 12 bar progression is a MUST to know by any jazz musician. Tomasz. Hope that helps. You're giving me the opportunity to add this piece of info up here in addition to my response in the comments area ;). The more time you spend at the beginning the easier it will get in the future. Therefore being in control of them and becoming fluent is crucial! What are chord tones? You have to be in total control of using chord tones within your lines. TZ. If I am at an open jazz jam session where they play jazz standards and someone calls a Bb blues, what should I assume the chord progression to be? Never rush when learning fundamentals. m7b5 chord consists of the root (R), flat third (b3), flat fifth(b5-diminished) and flat seventh (b7).Â. These two patterns are variations on triads. Thank you Francis! young and still learning computers. Thank you for your comment and a beer! Thanks Erik, it is fantastic to hear that! In this one of a kind, step-by-step book (the only book you’ll ever need for It is necessary that you have them in your bag of tricks and patterns. Or am I supposed to figure it out by hearing it the first time through? I like all kinds of music. Thank you for your great lessons. All the best! He was telling the truth. Thank you for such a nice words. You have to be able to know where each of the chord tones is located in relation to the root. These have really helped me. Love it. The 7th of the chord also informs us about the tonality ( major or minor). C, E, and G are the chord tones for a C major chord. Sometimes chord tones extend an octave above the 7th. In any key! im from argentina and your lessons are helping me a lot. Therefore being in control of them and becoming fluent is crucial! This is BY FAR the most systematic and well thought out approach I have ever come across.  Second option is used more often as it sounds better. but I want to say, can u send me the Materials (a Fender Jazz or Precision bass). To get PDF files and backing tracks you just need to enter your email address, first name and hit “Free Materials” button on this website.