• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Theory in 300
  • Bass Essentials Series
  • Lessons and Tips
  • Interviews
  • Gear Guides

Smart Bass Guitar

Opinion and Analysis in Bass Guitar

Jazz Bass Soloing: Soloing Over A 2-5-1 Chord Progression

Last Updated: August 13, 2022 by John Marley 1 Comment

In previous lessons, we have looked at creating a solid walking bass line to fulfill our supporting role in a jazz ensemble. The bass also has a rich history as a solo instrument in Jazz. From the blues inflected double bass solos of Ray Brown to the electric bass bebop of Jeff Berlin. Soloing can be a daunting prospect so it helps to break a piece down in to manageable chunks.

We hear a lot about the 2 5 1 chord sequence in jazz. Below, you can find a PDF explaining exactly what this means. This sequence appears in the majority of jazz standards so it is worth spending time on. I have included 2 lines that work over this sequence and you should play them in all 12 keys and with your own rhythmic variations. This will help you hear the sound of the 2 5 1, learn the chord sequence in all of the keys and improve your knowledge of the neck.


The lines are built around arpeggios and notes from the relevant scale. For example, if the 2 5 1 is in the key of C, all of the notes are from the C major scale.

In the next lesson we’ll include non scale notes for a more ‘out’ sound.

numbering system major scale steps

Download the example sheet here: explaining-the-numbering-system

2-5-1 bass clef example

Download the example sheet here: 2 5 1 Line – Bass Clef

2-15 bass clef walking bass line example 2

Download the example sheet here: 2 5 1 Line – Bass Clef (2)


  • Author
  • Recent Posts
John Marley
Performing over 250 gigs a year, John Marley is one of the busiest bass players in the north of the UK. He also runs the website Jazzinyork.com which is a guide to jazz in his home city, and contributes a weekly jazz column to the York Press newspaper.
Latest posts by John Marley (see all)
  • Being a Working Musician Part 2: Pop Function Gigs - November 22, 2016
  • Being a Working Musician Pt. 1: A Day in the Life of a Working Bass Player - August 30, 2016
  • Soloing on Bass Guitar: Soloing Using ‘Continuous Chord Tones’ - May 17, 2016

Filed Under: Lessons and Tips Tagged With: 2-5-1 bass line, bass guitar course, how to play jazz bass, john marley, learn to play jazz bass, walking bass line

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome To Smart Bass Guitar

Smart Bass Guitar is an online bass guitar blog & publication. Send all love, hate, and fan mail to [email protected]

This page may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission on purchases you make through those.

Popular Posts

Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide

The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]

beatles together

Broken Down: 10 Must-Know Paul McCartney Bass Lines

The Alberto Rigoni Interview: “My Rule is…There Is No Rule in Music”

practicing music

Practice Routine: Quality Over Quantity

massive attack

9 Easy Bass Lines for Beginners You Won’t Find in a Book

Join The Conversation

  • Preston Zwanzig on I’m Rudy Sarzo and This is How I Play
  • Skwid Wurd on Broken Down: 10 Must-Know Paul McCartney Bass Lines
  • Nick on The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]
  • Jeff Dahlin on The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Everything About Bass Guitar Strings
  • Tony Casas on The Best Bass Guitar Effects Pedals Guide You’ll Ever See [INFOGRAPHIC]
effect pedal guide for bass resource
practice routine for bass guitar
bass guitar strings guide

Footer

Search

Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Say Hi!

Love the new re-design? Hate the new re-design? Got some general questions about bass guitar? Shoot me a line at [email protected].

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework