# Chord tones over changes

*Module 9 · Lesson 3: Building bass lines · BazzLow*

> Use the 3rd, 5th and octave of each chord and move smoothly between chords.

Before this lesson: [9.2 Root, fifth and octave](https://bazzlow.com/en/building-bass-lines/root-fifth-octave/)

Roots and 5ths keep a line solid. Adding the 3rd makes it say what the chord is. Here you start to build lines that follow the changes.

## Adding the 3rd

The **3rd** tells the listener whether the chord is major or minor: the bass line now “spells” the chord (lesson 7.1). Common **arpeggio patterns** are **1–3–5–3**, **1–3–5–8** and **1–5–8–10**. The 10th is the 3rd an octave up; it sounds clearer than a low 3rd.

> **Diagram:** The pattern 1–3–5–3 over C – Am – F – G as tab. C: C E G E; Am: A C E C; F: F A C A; G: G B D B.

> **Diagram:** The same pattern on the staff, with the note names under the notes.

## Moving between chords

**Target** the root of the next chord on its first beat (the **target note**). Choose the chord tones in each bar so that the last one is **close** to the next target, a step or a small leap away.

Chords in the same key share notes (lesson 8.1): C and Am share C and E. A shared note, a **common tone**, can be held or repeated across the change for a smooth line.

> In practice, the root on beat 1 and other chord tones on the weaker beats is the most reliable plan. It is a strong tendency, not a rule.

## Try it

Play 1–3–5–3 in quarter notes over C – Am – F – G, one bar per chord. Then reorder the notes in each bar so that the last note is the chord tone closest to the next root.

## New terms

- target note
- common tone
- arpeggio pattern

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/building-bass-lines/chord-tones-over-changes/