Flute · Level 5 · Intermediate
A descending bass line in D major on Flute
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Inversions let the bass walk down the scale while the harmony moves through familiar chords. It is a classic ballad and soul sound.
D
Notes: D · F♯ · A
A/C♯
Notes: A · C♯ · E
Bm
Notes: B · D · F♯
D/A
Notes: D · F♯ · A
G
Notes: G · B · D
A
Notes: A · C♯ · E
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord as an arpeggio, one note at a time: D, A/C♯, Bm, D/A, G and A. Press play on the card, then match each note.
- Keep a steady air stream between notes; for the higher notes, aim the air a little higher instead of blowing harder.
- Set the tempo to 60 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Sing or hum the bass line while you play to keep it in focus.
- Play the chord tones one at a time, one note per beat, tonguing each note lightly (“too”).
- Raise the tempo to 80 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the bass stepping down without gaps.
Listen for
Aim for the bass stepping down without gaps. A common mistake is losing the slash bass note on the inverted chords.
Why it works
V/7 and I/5 are inversions chosen purely so the bass moves by step.
D major has 2 sharps; its relative minor key is B minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–V/7–vi–I/5–IV in D major?
In D major the progression is D | A/C♯ | Bm | D/A | G | G | A | A.
What is the key signature of D major?
D major has 2 sharps. Its relative minor is B minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 5 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Slash chords and a walking bass”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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