Dave Marks Walking Bass Lessons on Youtube: Lesson 1

We are using a chord progression with 3 chord types: Min 7 (Root – Flat 3rd – Perfect 5th – Flat 7th) Dominant 7 (Root – Maj 3rd – Perfect 5th – Flat 7th) Major 7 (Root – Maj 3rd – Perfect 5th – Natural 7th) Our progression is a II - V - I in the Key of C Major. If we look at all of the 4 note chords formed in the Key of C Major, we get: Thus a II V I progression has the chords: D min7 – G7 – C Maj7 II V I

Exercise 1.

• Play 4 note arpeggios. • Start on the root note of each chord. • Ascend for every chord. • Wherever possible, use shapes that stay in position. (I.e. you don’t

have to move your hand up or down the neck)

Play these arpeggios in all 12 keys around the cycle of fourths. The purpose of this lesson is purely to get your hands familiar with the shapes that we use to play over these chord types. This exercise is great for your left hand technique, using one finger per fret ideas and getting you used to playing in position.

C Maj7 D min7 E min7 F Maj7 G7 A min7 B min7 (b5) I II III IV V VI VII

Make sure to start slowly and learn the shapes. This does not need to be done with a metronome, drum machine or click. Once you have learned the shapes and your hand is comfortable with the movements, practice along to a click or a playalong drum track. Start slowly and aim for a good tone, even dynamics and a steady, solid feel. Enjoy practicing and tune in next week! Dave