“John has a beautiful spirit!”

“Very clear, detailed & focused responses!”

“Great depth of response to some varied questions!”

“John Clayton answered every single question in depth!”

“There are some things that you can only learn from a seasoned master with THAT much experience…!”

[00:00:00]: Introduction & Intro Performance
[00:03:36]: [Q&A] How to Improve & Work on Your Time
[00:05:18]: Practicing with Music Tracks
[00:06:10]: [Q&A] Daily Practice Routine
[00:07:37]: Adding Skills to Practice
[00:08:44]: Importance of Finger Technique
[00:11:38]: Project-Driven Practice
[00:12:56]: [Q&A] Jesse Murphy’s Practice Regimen
[00:13:21]: Day Off from Practicing
[00:15:02]: Music as a Daily Attachment
[00:16:13]: [Q&A] Staying Fresh & Growing Musically
[00:17:32]: Avoid the Comparison Trap!
[00:18:21]: Unique Musical Expression
[00:19:50]: Evaluating Personal Growth
[00:21:20]: [Q&A] John’s Big Band Arranging Process
[00:22:25]: Immerse Yourself in the Sound!
[00:23:44]: Sketch Out Your Ideas! (2 Versions)
[00:27:14]: Go to the Score!
[00:28:35]: Analog vs Digital Writing (John: By Hand!)
[00:30:20]: [Q&A] Band Leading as a Bassist
[00:32:37]: The Bass Player is always “in the Middle”
[00:34:51]: [Q&A] Favorite Records & Frequent Listening
[00:35:17]: Discovering New Music
[00:37:10]: Influential Jazz Albums
[00:39:57]: [Q&A] Phrasing for Wind Players
[00:41:15]: Singing Phrases for Clarity
[00:42:08]: Connecting Singing & Playing
[00:46:03]: [Q&A] Bass’s Impact on Jazz Standard Development
[00:46:47]: Music as the “Primary Focus”
[00:49:02]: Encouraging Team Creativity
[00:50:19]: [Q&A] Most Important Lessons from Ray Brown
[00:51:36]: Learn the Bass Thoroughly!
[00:55:19]: [Q&A] Stretches & Physical Health for Bassists
[01:01:05]: Adjustable Bass Playing Techniques
[01:02:09]: [Q&A] Working on Drops & Skips
[01:03:41]: Importance of Slow Practice
[01:06:59]: [Q&A] Writing 2 & 3-Part Harmonies
[01:08:26]: Importance of Understanding Chord Changes
[01:09:06]: Singing Harmonies for Melodies
[01:11:09]: Compose Away from the Piano!
[01:12:38]: Avoiding “Theoretical Prison”
[01:13:17]: Natural Flow in Musical Expression
[01:15:07]: [Q&A] On Hearing Yourself Onstage & Intonation
[01:16:40]: Using Microphones & Monitors
[01:19:07]: Working on Intonation
[01:19:26]: Exercises for Better Intonation
[01:20:34]: Fine-Tuning Adjustments
[01:23:01]: [Q&A] Developing Bass Lines & Transcription Tips
[01:23:27]: Importance of Transcribing
[01:25:23]: Choose FUN Transcriptions!
[01:26:53]: Transcribe at Real-Time Speed!
[01:28:26]: [Q&A] Composing & Arranging Advice
[01:29:32]: Composition Through Examples
[01:32:00]: [Q&A] Let Music Guide Your Life Decisions!
[01:33:09]: Run Decisions Through “Music Filter”
[01:34:03]: Evaluate Opportunities with “Music Filter”
[01:36:12]: [Q&A] Paul Chambers’ Bowing Influence
[01:40:18]: Preference for Gut vs Steel Strings
[01:41:43]: [Q&A] Slowing Down Tracks for Transcription
[01:44:00]: Your Musical Growth: Be Patient!
[01:45:29]: Growing Incrementally in Skill
[01:46:29]: Final Performance