how to construct good walking base lines? is there a formula or matter of experience?

Answer 1

Not everyone will admit it, but the greats steal every lick they can from their musical mentors. If you want to become a great bassist, that is the secret to success. I would suggest that you listen to artists like SRV and Roomful of Blues that feature blues progressions and listen carefully to what their bassist is doing.
Pick one c.d. that really does it for you, and go to school and learn from the master. Get to the point that you can accurately play along with every song, note for note. By the time you "graduate", these licks will be yours, and you will be a very in-demand bassist.

I practice what I preach. I am going through a similar project now with the debut album of Jaco Pastorius, often referred to as The World's Greatest Bass Player. My graduation is a long way off, but my fellow musicians have already noticed a remarkable improvement in my skill level.

Answer 2

This is the best answer I found that can help you with your goal.
"Chimzar,

Thanks for your suggestion. I have to admit I did not know what you ment by walking the bass line so I had to do some homework. If my understanding of walking the baseline is correct, that means you would start out with the root note on the dominate beat (1). Then you could walk up the chord. For example, lets say I was doing a slow blues song in the basic key of G with a slight twist.

G7 //// C9 //// G7//G#7// G7//// C9 //// C9 //// G7// Am7// Bm7//Bbm7// D9//// D#9//D9// G7//C9// G7//D7//

On Rhythm I would play the following positions:

G7 barr 3rd fret
C9 3nd fret middle four strings
G#7 barr 4th fret
D9 5th fret middle four strings
Am7 5th fret but mute the A string don't play the high E
Bm7 and Bbm7 same finger position as Am7 but 7th and 6th fret

so now for the base line walk:

if I wanted to walk from G7 to C9 would I do R, 3, 5, b7 or R, 3, b7 (Transional note) common between G7 and C9

One way would be G B D F C E bB D
Other way would be G B F D C ....
"

Answer 3

It is all up to your taste and skill.I like the old rockabilly sound of an upright geting slapped with a good walking bass.Some times less is more you don't want to over play .A bass player should know when to keep it simple.

Answer 4

Srry.