Jiro Okada!簡単な経歴岡田治郎　１９６７年生まれ。１２才からベースをはじめ２２才頃からプロとして活動を始める。１９９４年から１５年間高橋真梨子コンサートツアーに参加。２００１年にフュージョンバンド「ＰＲＩＳＭ」の正式メンバーとなる。ＰＲＩＳＭでは８枚のアルバムと３枚のＤＶＤを出している。２００９年から現在まで４年間「平原綾香」コンサートツアーに参加。洗足学園音楽大学ジャズコースの講師も勤める。

Jiro Okada was born in 1967 in Japan. He started studying bass at the age of 12, however he did not take music seriously until he was in his early 20s; he states that he started taking music seriously and performing at a professional level when he was 22.

A couple of years later, in 1994, he started performing with well-known Japanese singer Mariko Takahashi and was a part of Marikos touring band for 15 years. In order to broaden his horizons, in 2001, he became an official member of the renowned awe-inspiring jazz fusion band “Prism”. Together they have released 8 albums and 3 DVD’s!

Since 2009 he joined Japanese pop star Ayaka Hirahara’s touring band, which he is still a member. He is currently teaching at Senzoku University, Jazz course.

What inspired you to start playing bass?何にインスピレーションを受けて、ベースをひきはじめましたか？ ギターよりもベースの方が楽器の形がかっこよく見えたのでベースにしてしまいました。

I was in between guitar and bass, however I chose the Bass since it is a lot cooler than guitar! This is the reason why I treat the bass like a guitar sometimes (smile).

Who influenced you the most? Who are your favorite musicians and why? すきなミュージシャンをあげてください

Very interesting question. It is very appealing to me to understand who helped me evolve musically. I will have to mention: Bobby McFerrin, Tommy Em-manuel, Pat Metheny, Richard Bona, Ayaka Hirahara and Marcus Miller. All of these musicians have a unique “voice”. They are inspiring, lift up your spirits

and motivate you!

Which are your favorite: Top 10 Recordings/CDs トップ１０CDをあげてください

Play / Bobby McFerrin & Chick CoreaCenter Stage / Tommy Emmanuel (DVD)Off-ramp / Pat MethenyGreenhouse / The YellowjacketsStar / Jan Garbarek with Miroslav Vitous and Peter ErskineEyewitness / Steve KhanFor You / Tatsuro YamashitaWain no nioi (ワインの匂い) / Off CourseThe Voice / Ayaka HiraharaAmerican Dreams / Charlie Haden

APRIL 2013 BASSMUSICIANMAG.COM

Jiro Okada!簡単な経歴岡田治郎　１９６７年生まれ。１２才からベースをはじめ２２才頃からプロとして活動を始める。１９９４年から１５年間高橋真梨子コンサートツアーに参加。２００１年にフュージョンバンド「ＰＲＩＳＭ」の正式メンバーとなる。ＰＲＩＳＭでは８枚のアルバムと３枚のＤＶＤを出している。２００９年から現在まで４年間「平原綾香」コンサートツアーに参加。洗足学園音楽大学ジャズコースの講師も勤める。

Jiro Okada was born in 1967 in Japan. He started studying bass at the age of 12, however he did not take music seriously until he was in his early 20s; he states that he started taking music seriously and performing at a professional level when he was 22.

A couple of years later, in 1994, he started performing with well-known Japanese singer Mariko Takahashi and was a part of Marikos touring band for 15 years. In order to broaden his horizons, in 2001, he became an official member of the renowned awe-inspiring jazz fusion band “Prism”. Together they have released 8 albums and 3 DVD’s!

Since 2009 he joined Japanese pop star Ayaka Hirahara’s touring band, which he is still a member. He is currently teaching at Senzoku University, Jazz course.

What inspired you to start playing bass?何にインスピレーションを受けて、ベースをひきはじめましたか？ ギターよりもベースの方が楽器の形がかっこよく見えたのでベースにしてしまいました。

I was in between guitar and bass, however I chose the Bass since it is a lot cooler than guitar! This is the reason why I treat the bass like a guitar sometimes (smile).

Who influenced you the most? Who are your favorite musicians and why? すきなミュージシャンをあげてください

Very interesting question. It is very appealing to me to understand who helped me evolve musically. I will have to mention: Bobby McFerrin, Tommy Em-manuel, Pat Metheny, Richard Bona, Ayaka Hirahara and Marcus Miller. All of these musicians have a unique “voice”. They are inspiring, lift up your spirits

and motivate you!

Which are your favorite: Top 10 Recordings/CDs トップ１０CDをあげてください

Play / Bobby McFerrin & Chick CoreaCenter Stage / Tommy Emmanuel (DVD)Off-ramp / Pat MethenyGreenhouse / The YellowjacketsStar / Jan Garbarek with Miroslav Vitous and Peter ErskineEyewitness / Steve KhanFor You / Tatsuro YamashitaWain no nioi (ワインの匂い) / Off CourseThe Voice / Ayaka HiraharaAmerican Dreams / Charlie Haden

Which is your favorite bass, as well as piece of gear?すきなベースとギアを教えてください

My favorite bass is the Real Bossa Design OBJ 5. For amplification I use Markbass amps and for effects I like the ZOOM B9ut.

Can you tell us any tips for younger musicians? 若いミュージシャンたちに何か助言、やヒントをお願いします 僕は日ごろ、演奏は気持ちがたくさんこもっていれば音楽ジャンルに関係なくたくさんの人が聞いてくれるのではないかと考えているので、少しでも魂のこもった演奏ができるようにと思って練習しています。

I believe that many people will listen to your music, regardless of the genre if you put feeling and your heart and soul into your music. If you love what you do then the result will be good.

I know that you are one of the most busy bassists in Japan; you tour a lot! Any touring advice? ツアーをするにあたってのアドヴァイスをお願いします Having fun is the most important thing. You have to make it fun and pleasant. Imagine being stuck in a tour bus with musicians that don’t get along with each other. This will affect everyone’s psychology and most importantly it will affect the music.

Any Funny touring moments that you would like to share?ツアーでおもしろかったことを教えてください 前にツアー先でいろいろな日本のお城に遊びに行ったのが楽しかったです。

I cannot think of funny moments, however I will tell you what I consider some of the most important mo-ments. The fact that I’ve visited many historical castles in Japan, along with the tour members, makes it a truly imperative experience. Learning more about my culture as well as the history of Japan is imperative.

Any TECHNIQUE tips? I noticed that you use a 4-finger technique, as well as chords etc. Any comments on that? テクニックについてヒント、助言をお願いします(フォーフィンガーコードアプローチなど) フォーフィンガーは指が弦に深く当たりすぎると速く弾くのが難しいので、僕はリアピックアップに薬指をあてて距離を安定させて弾いています。 It’s difficult to play fast when the fingers hit the strings too hard. For that reason I place my ring finger on the rear pickup. That way I can even-out the strength of each fin-ger. Any Studio advice regarding recording? I know that you worked with many Japanese, as well as international producers.スタジオやレコーディングのアドヴァイス 僕もそんなに多くやっているわけではないので、一生懸命やるだけです。

I just try my best each time, however there’s not as much session work as there use to be; the music business has changed a lot the last few years. Yes, I have worked with many well-known Japanese, as well as international producers. The last couple of years I started working with Neila Productions, which is an LA based production company/label and I am very excited about that. It is good to work with people from diverse backgrounds, as well as different and fresh views regarding music; it is always a learning experience.

What are your plans for the future? Any new recordings/tours coming up?今後の予定をおしえてください 今年の初めに「PRISM」でレコーディングして新しいアルバムを発売します。５月くらいから平原綾香さんのツアーに参加します。

APRIL 2013 BASSMUSICIANMAG.COM

Which is your favorite bass, as well as piece of gear?すきなベースとギアを教えてください

My favorite bass is the Real Bossa Design OBJ 5. For amplification I use Markbass amps and for effects I like the ZOOM B9ut.

Can you tell us any tips for younger musicians? 若いミュージシャンたちに何か助言、やヒントをお願いします 僕は日ごろ、演奏は気持ちがたくさんこもっていれば音楽ジャンルに関係なくたくさんの人が聞いてくれるのではないかと考えているので、少しでも魂のこもった演奏ができるようにと思って練習しています。

I believe that many people will listen to your music, regardless of the genre if you put feeling and your heart and soul into your music. If you love what you do then the result will be good.

I know that you are one of the most busy bassists in Japan; you tour a lot! Any touring advice? ツアーをするにあたってのアドヴァイスをお願いします Having fun is the most important thing. You have to make it fun and pleasant. Imagine being stuck in a tour bus with musicians that don’t get along with each other. This will affect everyone’s psychology and most importantly it will affect the music.

Any Funny touring moments that you would like to share?ツアーでおもしろかったことを教えてください 前にツアー先でいろいろな日本のお城に遊びに行ったのが楽しかったです。

I cannot think of funny moments, however I will tell you what I consider some of the most important mo-ments. The fact that I’ve visited many historical castles in Japan, along with the tour members, makes it a truly imperative experience. Learning more about my culture as well as the history of Japan is imperative.

Any TECHNIQUE tips? I noticed that you use a 4-finger technique, as well as chords etc. Any comments on that? テクニックについてヒント、助言をお願いします(フォーフィンガーコードアプローチなど) フォーフィンガーは指が弦に深く当たりすぎると速く弾くのが難しいので、僕はリアピックアップに薬指をあてて距離を安定させて弾いています。 It’s difficult to play fast when the fingers hit the strings too hard. For that reason I place my ring finger on the rear pickup. That way I can even-out the strength of each fin-ger. Any Studio advice regarding recording? I know that you worked with many Japanese, as well as international producers.スタジオやレコーディングのアドヴァイス 僕もそんなに多くやっているわけではないので、一生懸命やるだけです。

I just try my best each time, however there’s not as much session work as there use to be; the music business has changed a lot the last few years. Yes, I have worked with many well-known Japanese, as well as international producers. The last couple of years I started working with Neila Productions, which is an LA based production company/label and I am very excited about that. It is good to work with people from diverse backgrounds, as well as different and fresh views regarding music; it is always a learning experience.

What are your plans for the future? Any new recordings/tours coming up?今後の予定をおしえてください 今年の初めに「PRISM」でレコーディングして新しいアルバムを発売します。５月くらいから平原綾香さんのツアーに参加します。

BASSMUSICIANMAG.COM APRIL 2013

I will be recording a new album with “PRISM” very soon and I will be touring with Ms. Ayaka Hirahara. I have some new stuff in the works; I will keep you posted as soon as everything is finalized. Any Solo music plans? ソロの活動のプランがあればおしえてください 特にありません。

I have some stuff in the works. I will keep you posted very soon! All I can say is that I am very excited and I am looking forward to sharing the news with you. Videos from YouTube YouTubeで映像があればおしえてください まんばちの飛行youtube.com/watch?v=sXrjiupL-ac

A big thanks to the people from Neila Productions, neilaproductions.com, first-ly because they have brought me in contact with Jiro and secondly for helping me with the translation.

For more information please check:www.jiro-okada.comwww.neilaproductions.comwww.prismjapan.com

Jiro Okada Time Warp Transcription

Prism was formed in 1975 by Akira Wada, Ken Watanabe, Katsutoshi Morizono, Koki Ito and Toru Suzuki. Most of the musicians had little professional experience, aside from Morizono, who founded the progressive rock/fusion band Yonin Bayashi.

In 1976, the group was signed to Polydor Records performed as an opening act for Eric Clapton and toured nationwide. Prism released their debut album in 1977, Prism, which ran out of stock after its release. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prism_(Japa-nese_band)#cite_note-1)

As of July 2007, Prism is composed of Jiro Okada – bass, Mansaku Kimura – Drums and Akira Wada – electric guitar. Kenichiro Shinzawa keyboard joins the band as “support” in their performances.

The featured transcription is a very challenging bass-focused composition named “Time warp” by Prism and it’s composed by Jiro Okada. I hope you have fun learn-ing it. It’s a great track. Transcribed is the melody part only.

APRIL 2013 BASSMUSICIANMAG.COM

BASSMUSICIANMAG.COM APRIL 2013