How Long have You Been Playing? (Delaware 2010)

Short answer -- 20 years. Long answer -- 5 years as a two-mallet vibist while I was a percussion major in college in the mid-to-late-1970s, followed by about 15 years of not playing at all, then coming back to vibes in 1995 and focusing on four-mallet playing. I played all by myself at home with self-instruction for about 9 years, then I studied with Ed Saindon. That got me to the point where I could get out into the real world. I've been gigging pretty regularly since 2006.

Tom P.

I started playing when I was 14 and was a serious student through age 19. Undergrad and medical school was a long hiatus. Then in residency I started playing seriously again and was a fairly busy amateur for almost 10 years (27-37). Then a long drought set in. Now I'm 53. About 2 years ago I ran across a link for the vibesworkshop.com and I've been interested in playing again ever since. I'm pretty rusty. I've thought a lot about what I'm looking for from the workshop. I think it would be accurate to say that I'm interested in learning whatever I can. I think I'm a fairly traditional jazzer. I like blues, standards, swing and Latin. If I can resurrect the musician inside and occasionally impress myself I'd be a very happy man.

Bob Wesner

I've been playing 9 years. I don't have formal music education but I've been studying with Tony and I have attended 3 Aebersold summer Jazz Workshops (just got back from one Saturday) and have a learned a great deal about jazz theory and harmony. I'm a fair improviser over songs I know the chords to and would like to work on chord subs that make my improvisation more interesting and "jazz-like". I also am still struggling with comping behind lead instruments and harmonizing tunes with the lead note of the song on top. I have some skills at this but I'm not fast at it and need to learn more about it before I can do it well and quickly.

Ed De Gennaro

I've been playing vibes since April of this year.
So it will be 6 months by the time the workshop comes around.

Todd Canedy
Don't stop asking until you understand. Once you understand constantly confirm it.

Well, trying to play for many years. I must not give up, that is why I am attending the workshop.
Sincerely, Vicky Daniel

I'm relatively new to jazz vibes! Some experience, but not much. My background is mostly classical percussion. Looking forward to learning more,
Tim