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Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys is Book II in the " Constructing 

Walking Jazz Bass Lines " Bass Tablature series for the Electric Jazz Bassist.

Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys compliments Book I " The Blues in 

12 Keys " by following on with an in depth study of  " must know " 

Jazz chord progressions for the aspiring Jazz Bassist.

Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys is a complete guide demonstrating the 

devices used to construct walking jazz bass lines in the jazz tradition.

   Part 1 of the book outlines and demonstrates the various 

techniques used by professional Jazz Bassists to provide forward 

motion and a strong harmonic and rhythmic foundation into bass 

lines.

   All exercises are designed to give the  Electric Bassist strong

 jazz bass lines in the bottom register of the instrument.

   An additional bonus for the Electric Bassist,  Part 1 provides a 

complete study of Bb Rhythm Changes whilst in the first position. 

This is an excellent technical study for building strength, improving

intonation and being able to walk strong bass lines at increased 

tempos in the bottom register of the instrument.

   Part 2 expands on the lessons and techniques used in Part 1 

providing the aspiring Jazz Bassist with the previous devices used in

professional level bass lines in all 12 keys. Providing over 70 choruses 

of Rhythm  Changes in all 12 keys using the whole register of the 

instrument. In total there are over 100 choruses of Rhythm Changes

included in Part I and Part II of this book.

   There are many advanced principles applied in the following bass 

lines whilst never losing sight of the functioning principle of the bass

in the jazz idiom. To provide a strong foundation of rhythm and 

harmony for the music being played & providing support for the 

melody and or soloist.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 1 Rhythm Changes ..............................................................

The AABA Form .......................................................................

The AABA Structure in Digital Form ........................................

Diatonic 7ths in the key of Bb major .................................. .......

The "2" feel  ................................................................................

Embellishing the "2" feel  ...........................................................

The Dominant 7th chord  ...........................................................

Chromatic approach from below  ...............................................

Chromatic approach from above  ................................................

Chromaticism and the walk up 

and the walk down  .....................................................................

Repeated notes and chromaticism  ..............................................

Harmonic anticipation and 

playing across the bar line  ..........................................................

Voice leading and 7th chords  .....................................................

Pedal points  ................................................................................

Tri-Tone substitution  .................................................................

Expanding on the use of Tri-Tone substitution ...........................

The Turnaround ...........................................................................

Turnarounds and the AABA Form .............................................

Rhythm Changes the "A" section progressions ...........................

Rhythm Changes the Bridge  ......................................................

Secondary Dominant Chords ......................................................

Rhythm Changes the Bridge chord substitutions ........................

Part 2  Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys  ....................................... 

Rhythm Changes in Bb ...........................................................

Rhythm Changes in B .............................................................

Rhythm Changes in C .............................................................

Rhythm Changes in Db ...........................................................

Rhythm Changes in D .............................................................

Rhythm Changes in Eb ...........................................................

Rhythm Changes in E .............................................................

Rhythm Changes in F ..............................................................

Rhythm Changes in Gb ...........................................................

Rhythm Changes in G .............................................................

Rhtyhm Changes in Ab ...........................................................

Rhythm Changes in A .............................................................

In Conclusion ..........................................................................

RHYTHM CHANGES

Rhythm Changes like the " Blues " is an essential part of the Jazz 

musicians vocabulary.

The following chapters provide various insights into how the Rhythm 

Changes song form may be approached. 

  It is essential for the aspiring bassist to learn the following material

in all 12 keys as layed out in the following chapters. It is then 

advised that the student take the various lines and devices and build

their own bass lines by substituting various A section or B section

bass lines from the examples within. 

  Write the lines out on manuscript. 

This will enable the student to compose and hear their own bass 

melodies and to accelerate the process of becoming a Jazz Bassist in 

their own right. 

  It is essential for the Jazz Bassist to have a strong understanding

of the harmony of the music being played, a solid rhythmic 

foundation but most importantly to have  their own sound and 

identity. 

Enjoy the book. 

The Tablature Series  of  " Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines " is designed to 

make available the same information to the bassist not experienced with reading music.

All examples , lesson topics and bass lines are the same as the bass clef series for the Double Bassist.

For the  student wanting to learn to read music  all examples and bass lines are shown in tablature with the standard bass clef  directly above.

This enables the bassist to apply what they already know to the task of learning to read music. This is excellent study material .

The book covers all aspects of learning how to construct walking bass lines with 

step by step instruction and various lesson topics . All examples are outlined by the author  with sample bass lines  which build from chapter to chapter.

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Foundation with excellent material, December 27, 2011

By 

Jon W. Mccormick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines Bk II - Rhythm changes in 12 keys -Bass Tab Edition: Walking Bass Lines - Jazz walking bass method for the Electric bassist (Volume 2) (Paperback)

I am very happy to offer this review of Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines BK II. I have had the opportunity for individual lessons with Mr. Mooney, where I was introduced to his books. Bottom line is this is what you need if you wish to become proficient with the instrument and genre. This is, in my humble opinion, the material you need to have under your hands if you want to be able function successfully as a bass player. It is not easy, but nothing of value ever is. This is for the dollar the best investment you can make in fundamentals that you will use for the rest of your playing career.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, very helpful, December 5, 2011

By 

Mathemusician "David" (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines Bk II - Rhythm changes in 12 keys -Bass Tab Edition: Walking Bass Lines - Jazz walking bass method for the Electric bassist (Volume 2) (Paperback)

I bought three of Steven's books - this one, "Blues in 12 Keys", and "Jazz Standards" - and they are all excellent.

Lots of introductory method books show what to play in a single measure to get from one chord to the next, and that is a good place to start. But the next step is to create a line that is melodic and interesting over the whole song form. That's what these books do really well. The underlying theory is clearly presented, and the transcribed lines show how to put the theory in a useful musical context.

If you are an absolute beginner this book will be pretty challenging;  ~  But if you have some basic familiarity with walking bass lines and want to take your playing to the next level, this is the book for you. Well worth the price.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very Comprehensive and Practical Method for beginner and intermediate/advanced bass players, September 24, 2011

By 

Jahrah7 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Constructing Walking Jazz Bass Lines Book II Walking Bass Lines: Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys Upright Bass method (Volume 2) (Paperback)

I am highly recommending Steven Mooney's method for Constructing Walking Bass Lines Book I The Blues in 12 Keys, Book II Rhythm Changes in 12 Keys and Book III Standard lines which I purchased mid July and I am eagerly awaiting Book IV. If you can read music a little bit or read TAB, this is the Method for YOU. 

Steven's approach is masterly crafted to ensure that you are playing strong Bass Lines right out of the Gate in all Twelve Keys with numerous exercises to reinforce each and every concept whether Theoretically and/or Harmonically in a very Comprehensive and Progressive approach including clearly written directions of the various concepts for the thoroughly written out exercises. As we all know, we all learn by doing. Steven's method provides numerous exercises to keep each and every aspiring Bassist enthuse about Learning and Creating Walking Bass Lines.

I have worked with literally over twenty different method books and Steven Mooney's approach is definitely the best of the best that I have worked with. It is very player friendly throughout and it is masterfully crafted! In addition to a lifetime's work going into creating these books more importantly is the willingness to patiently share this knowledge with others that makes all the difference and Steven should be very, very proud of that accomplishment.

In addition I am truly having the time of my life with these books and I have only just begun!!! So many varied exercises to reinforce the concepts, techniques and sight reading among others! 

Moreover, it is a lot of FUN! Steven SHARES the Mysteries of Understanding and Creating Melodic Walking Bass Lines. I personally find it challenging to stay away from his books but I know I should actively be working on Simandl, Ray Brown, Rufus Reid, Harvey Vinson, John Goldsby, Chuck Sher, Ed Friedman, Bunny Brunel, Bob Magnusson, James Jamerson and Jamey Aebersol methods as well!!! 

Enjoy!