Walking On Electric Bass

by Chris Tarry

I have spent a great deal of time trying to get my electric bass walking to feel like a traditional acoustic bass .

Here are a few very electric bass-specific things about walking.

One of the things I notice is that electric players really tend to try and emphasize 2 and 4 aggressively because they feel that they really have to try and make the music swing. If you listen closely to good acoustic players you will notice they do not accent 2 and 4. The upright bass has a kind of built in compression that allowes the sound and attack to stay consistent from one note to the next.

Check out some of these helpful reminders.

1.Give each beat the same attention as the last..(or next)
2. Make all the notes the same length and the attack to each note as consistent and even as possible.
3. Don't dig in too hard...Acoustic players can do this but it’s just counter productive on electric.
4. Try playing over the finger board with your right hand and you will find it easier to get a more consistent attack and traditional sound.
5. Never let them see you sweat!

Check out the walking masters...Paul Chambers (Miles Davis), Ron Carter (Miles Davis), Gary Peacock (Keith Jarrett), Dave Holland (Everybody), and Eddie Gomez.

Play along with them, find out what they had for breakfast the morning of the recording! Really try and cop their feel on your electric bass.

Hope this helps a little.

Enjoy!