In this lesson, you’ll learn how to improvise blues bass lines from the ground up using nothing more than a drum groove for context. We build five blues bass lines, each one introducing and highlighting one of what I call the Five Pillars of Blues—the core elements that make the blues sound like the blues.

Each bass line builds on the previous one, moving from simple to more complex so you can clearly hear and understand how each concept adds to the overall sound. You’ll start with the 12-bar blues progression, learning how the I, IV, and V chords work together and why this progression shows up in so many blues songs. From there, we layer in swing feel, helping you understand how triplets shape blues rhythm and how to lock in with the drums.

As the lesson continues, we expand your note choices by adding chord tones, the dominant 7 sound, and scale degree 6, giving you reliable notes that work over nearly every blues progression. Next, we open things up with the Mixolydian scale, showing how to use the full scale while still prioritizing strong musical choices. Finally, we introduce chromatic notes, explaining how and when to use half-step movement to connect ideas and add character to your bass lines.

Throughout the lesson, the emphasis is on musical priorities—understanding which notes matter most and how to layer ideas logically. You’ll learn how to think like a bassist when improvising: starting with roots and rhythm, then adding chord tones, scales, and chromatics in a way that supports the music.

This lesson is ideal for bass players who want to learn blues improvisation, understand blues harmony, improve rhythm and feel, and develop a clear, repeatable approach to building bass lines. It’s designed to inspire new practice ideas, deepen your understanding of the blues, and give you tools you can use in countless musical situations.