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I have been studying a lot of Chick Transcriptions lately and found some techniques that are imitable on Vibraphone.

I'm trying to get my practice routine together. So I was wondering how different vibe players practice. How much time? What do you practice?

I think most of us know a few things about the brain based on recent research. We know that when you stop practicing something, stop solving a problem, the brain does not stop. I've been working out a few things lately and I've got to see that in action.

I hope you guys realize that step one of working out a problem is to play it and show yourself the problem, spend some time trying to fix it and then finally walk away from it. Let the brain work on it. Next day it's better.

So....
I was chatting in the shout box about sight reading subscriber Bob Adler. We briefly talked about sight reading. So I thought I'd start a post about sight reading.

I'm not a great reader but I can manage. First I put the music stand slanted and level with the instrument. This is so I can use peripheral vision to see the notes.

I learn more about solo vibes from guitar than any other instrument. I think we have the same problems.

This album inspires me and i learn about solo vibe playing from things like this. What do you guys think?

Here's a nice article about NOT being a real book player.

http://www.jazzadvice.com/why-you-shouldnt-be-a-real-book-player/

Honestly if you don't mind. To me a realbook is the sign of one of a few things.

1. A pro doesn't know a tune and he's reading it because he has to.
2. It's a student who doesn't know enough tunes. (that's fine).
3. It's an amateur. Also fine.

Anyway this article sums it up perfectly!

Hey guys,

Summer is coming and I have more time for Skype Lessons. So I will offer some great deals for Subscribers of 3 months or more. That is a inexpensive Skype or in house lessons. They will be limited just because of my schedule.

I just put 4 up for the month of May. You purchase two lessons for a GREAT price. We do the first one and then give you things to do for the second lesson. You work hard and then we check in. You get better and vibesworkshop.com makes a few bucks. Win/win :-)

This version of My Wild Irish Rose is inspired by pianist Keith Jarrett. I love how he subtly shifts keys on familiar tunes. This version is an example of playing a tune by ear and then looking for interesting ways to change keys. I decided not to improvise on this one — just played the melody in slightly different ways that seemed to fit each key. Every chorus is the same, yet slightly different each time.

A student of mine needs a vibraphone in Argentina for future gigs. Does anybody know any vibes players there?

Any vibe resolutions out there?

Mine is to learn a bunch of the songs I have forgotten.