Jazz (walking bass) backing track for bass:
C, 120 BPM

A jazz (walking bass) backing track without bass, in C, at 120 BPM: the drums and the band play, you lay down the line. The chart, the scales to use and bass line ideas are below the video.

Length: 3:49 · Tempo: 120 BPM · Key: C · watch on YouTube

The chart

The 8-bar chart (ii-V-I) loops 14 times, on screen.

Bass line ideas

Quarter notes: the root on beat 1, then chord tones, and a chromatic approach note on beat 4; on A7, the C♯ leads you to Dm7.

A walking bass line moves in quarter notes: one note per beat, the root on beat 1, chord tones, and an approach note just before the next chord. On A7, which leads to Dm7, A Phrygian dominant gives the color.

Scales to use

• The major scale
• The bebop dominant scale
• The Phrygian dominant scale
• The chromatic scale

Played with UnitBasse

This backing track is played by BackTrack, the backing band of UnitBasse 2.0 for Mac: real recorded drums, keys, guitar and horns. In the app, you can change the tempo, the key or the style of the chart, and add the bass if you want to hear it first.

Frequently asked questions