Violin · Level 5 · Intermediate

Slash chords and a walking bass on Violin

I–I/3–IV–V in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

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.

Choose a key

C majorC · C/E · F · GD♭ majorD♭ · D♭/F · G♭ · A♭D majorD · D/F♯ · G · AE♭ majorE♭ · E♭/G · A♭ · B♭E majorE · E/G♯ · A · BF majorF · F/A · B♭ · CF♯ majorF♯ · F♯/A♯ · B · C♯G majorG · G/B · C · DA♭ majorA♭ · A♭/C · D♭ · E♭A majorA · A/C♯ · D · EB♭ majorB♭ · B♭/D · E♭ · FB majorB · B/D♯ · E · F♯

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

G 3D 1D 3A 2
String and finger, first position

C/E

C major, E in the bass

Notes: C · E · G

G 3D 1D 3A 2
String and finger, first position

F

F major

Notes: F · A · C

D 2A openA 2E 1
String and finger, first position

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

G openG 2D openD 3
String and finger, first position
1
C
2
C/E
3
F
4
G

Why it works

I/3 is the first inversion of I, with the third in the bass, creating a smooth line toward IV.

On another instrument

Slash chords and a walking bass on Guitar →Slash chords and a walking bass on Piano →Slash chords and a walking bass on Ukulele →Slash chords and a walking bass on Mandolin →Slash chords and a walking bass on Banjo →Slash chords and a walking bass on Flute →

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