Walking Bass Lines: "Rhythm Changes"

kirbybrawl22 Says:

Oct 10, 2010 - Question--if the substitutions are universal for all keys as long as the type of chord (1, 6, 2, etc.) doesn't change, why do you give the substitutions in actual chord names instead of the numbers they represent? Otherwise, I get the impression that these chord subsistutions will only work for Bb maj--and that's not the case, correct?

frcwolf Says:

Oct 11, 2010 - You're right that these substitutions will work in any key. Rhythm Changes are most often played in Bb and I find that it is best to work with specifics first and then generalize later.

frcwolf Says:

Oct 11, 2010 - Hmm, I guess we call it "mainstream" jazz. Rhythm changes are based on a tune by George Gershwin, written in the 1940's (if I'm not mistaken) and appropriated by jazz players in the late 40's as a vehicle for improvising in the bebop style. So, bebop, swing, mainstream - anything to distinguish it from "smooth" jazz or "fusion" would be more or less accurate. Many musicians eschew these categories, preferring to concentrate on playing at the highest level.

chalmersg Says:

Oct 25, 2010 - Great clip. Really swings :-)

MandolinMaker Says:

Oct 30, 2010 - lol man thats smokin cool. if i lived in chicago i'd take bass lessons from you.love all your vids, bill. i used to try to splain tritone subs to people, but now i just show them that video and they go "oh"

magetarg Says:

Nov 3, 2010 - I didn't thought possible that a bass player could learn a single chord ! Ok just kidding, sounds great !

davnkatz Says:

Nov 28, 2010 - At 74 yo, I am a rather new bassist - taking private and jazz lessons. My jazz instructor talked about tritone substitutions, and you showed me what that means. Actually, your site was sent to me, and I find it an excellent learning tool. I plan to make it a daily supplement to my weekly lessons.

jplanejazz Says:

Apr 21, 2011 - Check out the tune Oleo by Sonny Rollins. Rhythm Changes tunes are very prevalent in jazz music. It is essential to know the Rhythm Changes as a jazz musician. It's as common as a blues.

gromshit101 Says:

Sep 12, 2011 - I love you

sibwana Says:

Oct 7, 2011 - great Bill! master Bill! thank you Bill!!

RobBrooksMusic Says:

Oct 11, 2011 - Great vid

RobBrooksMusic Says:

Oct 15, 2011 - Amazing, you would think a bass would just follow the changes but you really gives your lines a character of their own, I keep coming back to this and the intro demo is great

frcwolf Says:

Oct 15, 2011 - Thanks Rob. I appreciate the good vibe.

thepione Says:

Oct 16, 2011 - Gershwin died in '37. "I Got Rhythm" was published in '30.

poconoblues Says:

Dec 22, 2011 - Nice. Care to share tab of you solo? -jss

Juusteli Says:

Dec 24, 2011 - :o

HyrulianWarlord Says:

Jan 22, 2012 - damn!! i was starting my solo and you stopped playing! jajaja i thought this was a backing track, great playing man!

apacalipsy Says:

Jan 23, 2012 - what key is this in?

clapplebee Says:

Mar 14, 2012 - Thank you very much for all the info! I will be studying your videos frequently!

megustaestartrono Says:

Mar 16, 2012 - great bass player. i really enjoyed your explanation and watching you play.

dahttripillit Says:

Mar 20, 2012 - Quite possibly the best basic walking theory crashcourse ever!

frcwolf Says:

Mar 22, 2012 - Thanks for the good vibe, trip.

frcwolf Says:

Mar 22, 2012 - Bb, the standard key for this progression. The bridge starts on D7 and goes around the circle of 4ths.

13asdediamantes Says:

Mar 24, 2012 - real great lesson, thak u!

onlycountry1955 Says:

Mar 30, 2012 - GREAT JASS BASS MAN !!!!