BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
13734 / 18210 · Workshop 106 — Composing Bass Lines That Carry the Piece: Root Motion, Counterpoint, Groove, Inversions, Pedals, and Bass as a Source of Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →

106.168The editing question

For every bass note ask:

Why does this note occur here?

Possible answers:

  • structural root
  • inversion
  • connects by step
  • chromatic approach
  • motif
  • groove
  • pedal
  • counterpoint
  • formal cue

If answer is merely:

“because that's the chord,”

see whether the line can be improved.