Jazz Education Podcast #3 Special Guest: Mike Downes

Mike Downes is one of Canadaʼs most in demand bassists and clinicians. He is the head of the bass department at Humber College and is always busy working in Toronto and on the road, often with vocalist Molly Johnson.

Dealing with different feels- Play recordings of stuff in the same style of the piece you are going to perform, or

even just stuff that you like! Students will feed off your love of music, share it with them.

- The chart isnʼt always right. Use your ears and adjust the charts as necessary.- Different feels change this up nicely for the audience and the musicians and keep

everyoneʼs interest for longer. - Try to play along with recordings, even if they arenʼt fitting in exactly with the

recordings they will start to emulate what they hear naturally. - Get with the time first!

Rhythm section workout- Donʼt be afraid to re-write rhythm section chart to better suit the feel. Little adjustments

can go a long way. - Transcribe what some recordings and play that instead of what the chart says. - Time is more important then shots! - The time is not just the drummers responsibility! Have students try playing without the

drums and rely on themselves for the time. - Find where in the feel that the bass and drums hook up and have them play just that

for a while until it locks in- Try to get them to experiment with playing ahead or behind the beat to create

awareness - Try a rhythm sectional

Other tips- Have your students play tunes they know without sheet music (Happy Birthday even).

Students should learn that music is more about the ears than the eyes.- Improvising doesnʼt come from scales. - Bring in clinicians to help fill in the gaps in your knowledge.

More Mike Downeshttp://www.mikedownes.com/The Jazz Bass Line Book, now available through Advance Music!