Creating Basslines Root-5th and Beyond: Chord Tones Deep Dive
About Creating Basslines Root-5th and Beyond: Chord Tones Deep Dive
Take your bass playing beyond the basics and dive deep into the power of chord tones! In this two-hour immersive class, you’ll learn how to craft melodic, groove-driven, and harmonically rich basslines using triads, seventh chords, inversions, and advanced harmonic techniques like secondary dominants, diminished passing tones, and chord substitutions. If you’ve ever wondered how professional bass players build seamless, expressive lines that lock in with the band, this class will give you the tools to do the same!
Designed for beginner to intermediate bass players, this class breaks down how chords are built from scales, using half-step and whole-step formulas to construct major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended, and seventh chords right on the fretboard. You'll learn how to apply these chord tones to create smooth transitions, walk between chords, and develop stronger basslines in funk, blues, jazz, rock, and more. We’ll also explore dominant 7ths and secondary dominants, showing you how to add harmonic movement and depth to your playing.
The session is divided into two parts:
🎶 Theory Breakdown (45 min) – Understanding chord construction, applying chord tones to the fretboard, and learning how different harmonies shape basslines.
🎵 Hands-On Application (1 hr) – Play-along exercises, real-world bassline examples, and groove-based practice to solidify these concepts in your playing.
By the end of this class, you’ll have the confidence to apply chord tones, use inversions, and create basslines that feel more intentional and expressive. Whether you’re jamming, writing, or performing, you’ll walk away with new skills to elevate your bass playing.
Join us and start building basslines that groove, connect, and inspire!
Class Goals
Goal 1: Master Chord Tone Application in Basslines
Learn how to build strong, melodic, and harmonically rich basslines using chord tones (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Understand how these notes define the harmony of a song and how to use them to create smoother transitions between chords.
Goal 2: Build a Strong Foundation in Chord Construction
Discover how chords are formed from scales using half-steps, whole-steps, and interval stacking. You'll learn to construct triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented, suspended) and seventh chords (maj7, min7, dominant 7, half-diminished, fully diminished, and augmented 7th) directly on the fretboard.
Goal 3: Use Inversions for Smooth, Professional Basslines
Develop the ability to play and recognize chord inversions, using the 3rd, 5th, or 7th as the lowest note to create fluid and connected bass movements. This will help you transition between chords more musically and play with more variation.
Goal 4: Expand Your Harmonic Knowledge with Secondary Dominants
Learn how to identify and use dominant 7th chords and secondary dominants to add tension, movement, and harmonic interest to your basslines. Apply these concepts in common chord progressions across multiple genres.
Goal 5: Incorporate Diminished Passing Tones and Substitutions
Use diminished chords and chromatic passing tones to create smoother motion between chords. Explore tritone substitutions and alternate chord voicings to make your basslines sound more sophisticated and dynamic.
Goal 6: Apply These Concepts in Real Music
By the end of the class, you’ll be able to analyze and play basslines from real songs, recognize chord tones in action, and apply these techniques in your own playing—whether you’re jamming, performing, or writing original bass parts.
Goal 7: Build Confidence and Groove in Your Playing
Through hands-on exercises and guided practice, you’ll improve your fretboard fluency, rhythmic precision, and ability to lock in with a band, making you a more versatile and confident bassist.
Age Range
All Ages
Skill Level
beginner to intermediate
Contact the Teacher
Send a direct message from the teacher's profile page with any questions you might have about the class.
When
Single 105-min live online session.
Enrolled students receive lifetime access to the video recording of the class.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before each session's start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward. Contact us with any questions. This class, and all lessons and classes on Lessonface, are covered by the Lessonface Guarantee.
Book 1:1 online lessons with Dale Dudley on their Lessonface profile.
Dale Dudley
Dale Dudley's musical journey began when his mother made him take piano lessons at the age of seven. He was born the third of seven children in Washington, D.C., and grew up in New Carrollton, MD, a suburb of D.C.
About Lessonface, PBC
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