Piano · Level 5 · Intermediate
Slash chords and a walking bass in B major on Piano
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A slash chord keeps the same chord on top but puts a different note in the bass. Here the bass climbs step by step from I to IV.
B
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯
B/D♯
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯
E
Notes: E · G♯ · B
F♯
Notes: F♯ · A♯ · C♯
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: B, B/D♯, E and F♯. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
- Set the tempo to 60 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Bring out the bass note of each chord a little more than the rest.
- Play the left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
- Raise the tempo to 80 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a bass line rising one step at a time.
Listen for
Aim for a bass line rising one step at a time. A common mistake is playing the root in the bass on the slash chord.
Why it works
I/3 is the first inversion of I, with the third in the bass, creating a smooth line toward IV.
B major has 5 sharps; its relative minor key is G♯ minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–I/3–IV–V in B major?
In B major the progression is B | B/D♯ | E | F♯.
What is the key signature of B major?
B major has 5 sharps. Its relative minor is G♯ minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 5 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Sixth chords”.
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