Piano · Level 5 · Intermediate

A descending bass line on Piano

I–V/7–vi–I/5–IV in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Inversions let the bass walk down the scale while the harmony moves through familiar chords. It is a classic ballad and soul sound.

Choose a key

C majorC · G/B · Am · C/GD♭ majorD♭ · A♭/C · B♭m · D♭/A♭D majorD · A/C♯ · Bm · D/AE♭ majorE♭ · B♭/D · Cm · E♭/B♭E majorE · B/D♯ · C♯m · E/BF majorF · C/E · Dm · F/CF♯ majorF♯ · C♯/F · D♯m · F♯/C♯G majorG · D/F♯ · Em · G/DA♭ majorA♭ · E♭/G · Fm · A♭/E♭A majorA · E/G♯ · F♯m · A/EB♭ majorB♭ · F/A · Gm · B♭/FB majorB · F♯/A♯ · G♯m · B/F♯

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

Left hand: C2

G/B

G major, B in the bass

Notes: G · B · D

Left hand: B2

Am

A minor

Notes: A · C · E

Left hand: A2

C/G

C major, G in the bass

Notes: C · E · G

Left hand: G2

F

F major

Notes: F · A · C

Left hand: F2

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

Left hand: G2
1
C
2
G/B
3
Am
4
C/G
5
F
6
F
7
G
8
G

Why it works

V/7 and I/5 are inversions chosen purely so the bass moves by step.

On another instrument

A descending bass line on Guitar →A descending bass line on Ukulele →A descending bass line on Mandolin →A descending bass line on Banjo →A descending bass line on Violin →A descending bass line on Flute →

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