Upright Bass Voice Leading in Walking Basslines : Upright Bass Progressions: 1-7-6-Half Step

[GaryBass100]

Another question: Why are we playing a half step (a flatted 5th) anyway? It sounds better with the regular 5th, and makes the chord a true 7th chord.

[GaryBass100]

I am a little confused. When you say "half step" do you mean a half step down from the 6, or a half step down from the 5? For F7, are we playing F Eb D B (1-7-6-5b) or are we playing F Eb D Db (1-7-6-6b)? You seem to be playing the former; however, on the next chord (Bb7), you are not playing 1-7-6-5b, you are playing 1-7-6-5 with no half step, i.e. Bb Ab G F, instead of what we would expect, Bb Ab G E.

It would be very helpful if you referred to the actual notes being played.