The Best Bass Jazz Sheet Music
Download and print the best bass jazz sheet music. Find great jazz bass solos transcribed for your instrument.
Best Bass Jazz Sheet Music
Bass jazz is a great way to add depth and feeling to your music. The best bass jazz sheet music will help you create the perfect sound for your band or solo performance. When you are looking for the best bass jazz sheet music, you should consider the style of the music, the level of the musicians, and the price.
Oscar Peterson – “Night Train”
One of the most popular and recorded bass lines of all time, “Night Train” is a great piece for any bass player to learn. Written by Oscar Peterson, this tune has been covered by many artists over the years, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Ray Brown. The bass line is fairly simple, but it’s the rhythmic groove that makes this tune so infectious.
Paul Chambers – “Blue ‘n’ Boogie”
This tune was originally recorded by the Miles Davis Quintet on their album Blue ‘n’ Boogie in 1947. It is based on the chord changes of “I Got Rhythm” and is a perfect example of bebop at its finest. The melody is full of quick passing notes and is best suited for an advanced bassist.
Ray Brown – “The Jive Samba”
Ray Brown’s “The Jive Samba” is one of the all-time great bass lines in jazz. It’s a perfect example of how the bass can provide the foundation for a groove while also playing an active and melodic role in the tune.
The melody of “The Jive Samba” is based on the chord progression of “The Girl from Ipanema,” which is one of the most popular standards in jazz. The chord progression for “The Girl from Ipanema” is: Dm7-G7-CMaj7-Dm7-G7. The melody of “The Jive Samba” uses this same chord progression, but with a few modifications.
Instead of playing the root of each chord, Brown plays the third of each chord. This gives the line a more melodic quality and helps to create a more pumping groove. Brown also uses some upper extensions, such as the ninth and eleventh, to add flavor to the line.
Here’s a transcription of Ray Brown’s bass line on “The Jive Samba.” You can use this transcription to practice the line and internalize the sound and feel of it.
Dm7 G7 CMaj7 Dm7 G7
|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
|——–0——-|——-3———|——-2———|——–0——-|
|—–2—–2—–|—–0—–0—–|—–3—–3—–|—–2—–2—–|
|—0———–0-|—1———–1-|—2———–2-|—0———–0-|
|-0—————|-3—————|-3—————^-0—————|
Milt Jackson – “Bags’ Groove”
“Bags’ Groove” is a tune composed by Milt Jackson, first recorded by Jackson’s group The Milt Jackson Quartet in a November 16, 1951 session for Savoy Records, and released as a single in 1952. Based ongroove changes associated with bebop harmony, the composition has become one of the most enduring standards of modern jazz. It has been recorded by musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and many others.
The piece derives its name from Jackson’s nickname “Bags”, which came about during his tenure with the Lionel Hampton orchestra when trumpeter Jonah Jones remarked to him that he looked like a “bag of bones”.
More Great Bass Jazz Sheet Music
Sam Jones – “The Sidewinder”
This is one of the most classic jazz tunes around, and a perfect choice for bassists looking to show off their skills. The original recording of “The Sidewinder” features Lee Morgan on trumpet, and he takes a long soloat the end of the tune. You can also check out Ron Carter’s version with the Miles Davis Quintet for some more great bass playing.
Ron Carter – “Willow Weep for Me”
Ron Carter’s solo on “Willow Weep for Me” is one of the all-time great bass solos. It’s also one of the most popular, and one of the most often-played. This is one of those rare cases where the sheet music actually lives up to the hype.
Paul McCartney – “My Valentine”
Sir Paul McCartney’s “My Valentine” is a beautiful song for Valentine’s Day, or any other special occasion. It features a lovely melody that is perfect for singing, as well as a wonderful solo bass part. This piece was originally written for McCartney’s wife, Nancy, and it is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Jaco Pastorius – “Portrait of Tracy”
Considered one of the most influential bassists in jazz history, Jaco Pastorius revolutionized the role of the electric bass. His 1974 self-titled debut album introduced his unique blend of jazz, funk, and rock, and “Portrait of Tracy” is one of the album’s most memorable tracks. Pastorius’ melodic and lyrical approach to soloing is on full display in this piece, which has become a standard in the bass repertoire.
