Lesson 27 of 29BassIntermediate

Sequences

1:29

Bruce Gertz shows how to build bass lines from scale sequences like 1-2-3-5, then run them through the chord changes in Example One.

Part of the courseContemporary Bass Guitar Grooves29 lessons (1h 11m)

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What's in the course

29 lessons (1h 11m) · 1 free
    • 01. Root motion and harmonic rhythm (beats per chord), scale and chromatic approach

      7:49

    • 02. Approach notes

      2:29

    • 03. Inversions, Triads

      2:18

    • 04. Sequences

      You are here

      1:29

    • 05. Combinations of all ex.5, practice ex. 1-5

      1:55

    • 06. About Bruce Gertz & Bass demo

      1:32

Lesson transcript

Music Lesson: Sequences

Now, another idea is sequences.

Sequence Example: C Major

One of the sequences that I've already mentioned was the 1, 2, 3, 5 of the scale in C Major.

Here's the idea of the sequence going through all the first changes in Example One:

  • Scale down:
    1, 2, 3, 5
    1, 2, 3, 5

  • Triad combination:
    1, 2, 3, 5
    1, 2, 3, 5

  • Chromatic approach:
    1, 2, 3, 5
    1, 2, 3, 5

Additional Sequences

Now, there are a lot of sequences that you can use.

Looking at Example Two, here's a sequence that comes down the scale to the third of every chord.

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Meet your guru

Bruce Gertz

Bruce Gertz

Bruce Gertz is an award-winning bassist (acoustic and electric), composer, educator, and author. He is a professor of bass at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught since 1976.

Bruce is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Performance Award Grant, the Massachusetts Cultural Council Musical Composition Award, and numerous outstanding bassist awards from the Boston Music Awards, A.S.C.A.P. Plus Popular Awards, and multiple recognition awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Jazz Education Network. Bruce also serves on the board of directors of the International Society of Bassists.

He has performed and recorded with such artists as Gary Burton, Jerry Bergonzi, John Abercrombie, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Werner, Mick Goodrick, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Billy Hart, George Garzone, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Joe Lovano, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie, among many others.

In Contemporary Bass Guitar Grooves, Bruce puts all of that experience to work for you. You'll learn to build solid, swinging bass lines and lock into authentic grooves across funk, jazz, and fusion, so you can hold down the bottom end and walk into any band situation with confidence.

His extensive discography and additional information can be found at www.brucegertz.com.

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