A jazz walk describes the way in which a jazz musician uses the full span of the piano or guitar neck to build chord progressions and improvise. The player "walks" up or down the instrument's neck, playing notes higher and lower on the scale as they go, and this helps to create a dynamic and interesting melody or progression.
Jazz walks are frequently used in jazz and blues music, and can be heard in improvised and composed melodies alike. They involve playing various notes of a chord, including the root, third, fifth, and seventh, in succession, typically starting from the lowest note and moving upwards. This allows musicians to explore different voicings and textures of the chord, as well as to make use of more chromatic notes and extended harmonies.
Jazz walks can also be considered as transitional passages, connecting different parts of a song or composition. They can create rhythmic tension and a fluid sense of movement, and are often used to build anticipation or to bridge harmonic changes.
Overall, the jazz walk is a fundamental technique in jazz music that allows for both melodic creativity and harmonic exploration, and is a core element of the unique sound and style of jazz and blues.