Bass Player: Tom Fowler

Born in Slat LAke City, Utah, in 1951, Tom Fowler has played with It’s A Beautiful Day, Frank Zappa, The Mothers OF Invention, Jean-uc Ponty, Ray Charles, Steve Hackett and many others. The transcription attached features his very measured part for the Jean-Luc Ponty tune ‘Aurora Pt. 1’ from the 1976 album ‘Aurora’. The transcription involves bars of 5:4, 4:4 and 3:4 so is a great exercise for reading changing time signatures. Note the dotted crotchets and quavers also as they are an important part of the feel and groove of the performance.

The 5:4 pick is impossible but stick with it. It will make more sense once you have internalised the tune.