I forget to blog. I forget to talk about stuff. This is what helped me learn how to play the instrument. Talking and playing with people.
When I saw Tyler's post about blogging, I thought, OK that's what I needed. I loved doing a practice blog on here. So maybe I can get back to it.
Today:
Hi Folks,
I realize there is a ton of data, technical info and lessons on the site. All very valuable!
I wanted to start a series of blogs/discussions about some of the less black and white aspects of music and vibes. These blogs are intended as a way to share some personal experiences and be a platform for discussion of some of the less technical elements of music making.
Your Relationship with Practice
Hi Folks,
Haven't been as active as I'd like to have been this summer, but wanted to take a minute to write a short blog. I don't always feel efficient in my practice sessions, but just had a nice one today and thought I'd talk about what seemed to work for me this time:
My opinion: You're never done learning tunes. I used to know a lot more than I do now when I was doing more standards gigs. I feel that the ones I know know I'm much deeper on though. I always learn more about music by learning a new tune.
Here's what I did this morning to work on a new tune:
We are updating the site. Well we've (Stephen) been updating it for 2 years. The software upgrade from 6 to 7 is so dramatically different we've had to rewrite code (well Stephen does) and sort of work from the ground up. It's soooo much work, it's driving me crazy.
I'm a little light on my lessons for the site and this is partly why. Stephen has written a few thousand lines of code JUST to move the database. Drupal (software) is a drag.
It's really come close to giving up a couple times, but we're (he's) still at it.
“Faraway”
Rusty Burge/Steve Allee
Reviewed by Anthony Smith
Hi everyone, I'm playing a gig tomorrow in Paris
with the Bocle Bros. Keltic project and special guest
Anxo Lorenzo, a virtuoso Whistle and Galician Bagpipes from Spain
also Loic Bléjean on uilleann pipes & whistles; Simon Bernier on Drums
myself JB Boclé on Vibes, Mallet Kat & Organ & Gildas Boclé on bass.
all original music, some from our upcoming release, teaser here:
the concert is at 8pm and has no cover!:
June 18th
COLEGIO DE ESPAÑA
Just a reminder, I've got a cool community blog and website going, focused on jazz vibes in the NYC scene...
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/nycjazzvibes
http://www.nycjazzvibes.com/BLOG.php
this week, check out Behn Gillece's new record, "Mindset," which is smoking! Behn is nothing short of a post-bop marvel on the vibes. If you want to study/understand modern, straight ahead vibes improvisation, transcribe Behn's solos! I encourage you to pick up the record and post a review at Amazon, like I have here (this will help Behn sell some more copies!):
Hey All,
For years I have wanted a marimba to play on occasional gigs and to have in my studio. But I didn't want a giant instrument that would take up a ton of room and I really didn't want to have to carry around a bunch of bars (at the two ends) that I only use occasionally.
The other day I had a Craigslist feeling and sure enough there was a 3 octave (interestingly G to G) Deagan Imperial for a few hundred bucks.
Just wanted to let everyone know that in my quest for a set of mallets that matches an old set I like from the 80's, Mike Balter is the man. I sent him a single mallet and Mike is making me a custom reproduction (for normal retail costs)
So if you have something you want specifically, call Mike he is the man.
I've been spinning records lately....(finally got my turntable fixed) and I pulled out a bunch of records that really were the first vibraphone I'd ever heard: Lofty Fake Anagram, Duster, Time Square, Alone at Last, the Keith Jarrett one too etc.