Moving Bass by Nigel Jones
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Moving Bass Lines

In today’s lesson we are going to look at how to spice up your compositions by adding a moving bass line.

So what is a moving bass line and how do I use one?

A moving bass line means that the bass does not always play the root of the chord it moves from one note to another. For instance if you are playing a D major chord, you would normally start the chord with the root note D, try playing the same chord but putting the note of A in the bass. Now try playing the chord for two bars, every two beats change the root of the chord; start with D then try A, then back to D, then try an E? The sounds take sometime to get used to, it’s a bit dissonant at times, but if you use the right notes in context it can sound great.

So what notes go with what chords, and how do I add this technique to my compositions?

It all come down to what key you are playing in, for instance if your chord pattern is A/// D/// Bm/// E/// you would be playing in the key of A Major. Your bass line could consist of any notes from the A Major scale A B C# D E F# G#. Try to make your bass line move with or high light the chords.

Once you think you have a bass line sorted, try playing it on its own without the chords, this will help you see if it flows, a good bass line should be a tune in itself.

I have included a sample piece, which will hopefully show you how this technique works. Please click here to see the tablature.

>>Download midi

Many Thanks

Nigel Jones