# Passing and approach notes

*Module 9 · Lesson 4: Building bass lines · BazzLow*

> Connect chord tones with notes from outside the chord.

Before this lesson: [9.3 Chord tones over changes](https://bazzlow.com/en/building-bass-lines/chord-tones-over-changes/) · [4.7 Consonance and dissonance](https://bazzlow.com/en/intervals/consonance-and-dissonance/)

Chord tones are safe, but a line made only of chord tones can sound stiff. Notes from outside the chord add movement, as long as they lead somewhere.

## Non-chord tones

**Non-chord tones** are notes that are not in the current chord. In a bass line they usually sit on **weak beats or off-beats** and lead to a chord tone on a strong beat. Unstable notes are fine **when they move**. They become a problem when held on a strong beat over a chord that does not contain them.

## Passing notes

A **passing note** fills the gap between two chord tones by step. Over C, from C to E: C D E. D is a passing note.

## Approach notes

An **approach note** is the note just **before** a target note, usually on the last beat or off-beat before a chord change. The main kinds:

- **chromatic approach**: a half step below or above the target. Into F: E or G♭ just before. It works from outside the key too, because it resolves at once;
- **scale approach**: the scale note a step above or below the target;
- **dominant approach**: the 5th of the target chord (a 5th above or a 4th below its root). Into F: C just before, with the V→I pull in miniature.

> **Diagram:** Over C then F: C E G on beats 1–3, then E on beat 4, a half step below the target F (a chromatic approach from below). The bar of F follows.

> **Diagram:** The same line as tab: C at fret 3 on the A string; E at fret 2, G at fret 5, E at fret 2 on the D string; then F at fret 3.

> **Diagram:** The approach from above: G♭ on beat 4, a half step above the target F (a chromatic approach from above).

> **Diagram:** As tab: the approach note G♭ is at fret 4 on the D string, before F at fret 3.

> **Diagram:** The dominant approach: C on beat 4, the 5th of F, a 4th below its root.

> **Diagram:** As tab: C at fret 3 on the A string, then F at fret 3 on the D string.

These tools are the basis of walking bass (four quarter notes per bar, mostly in jazz), which is beyond this course’s scope.

## Try it

Over C (one bar) and F (one bar), play C E G on beats 1–3. Try a different approach note on beat 4 each time and land on F on beat 1.

## New terms

- non-chord tone
- passing note
- approach note
- chromatic approach
- scale approach
- dominant approach
- walking bass

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/building-bass-lines/passing-and-approach-notes/