all-levels

An Oldie But Goodie - "Mack The Knife"

"Moon River" - Solo version from a hang with Joe Locke and Gustavo Agatiello. We’ve had quite a few of these weekend sessions and for me they have been so much fun, informative and inspirational. We can spend at least eight hours a day in the studio, come up for lunch and dinner, and then go back down to the laboratory, as Joe calls it, to play and talk about music. Lots of laughs along the way too.

"Wichita Lineman" composed by Jimmy Webb and sung by Glen Campbell. One of the hippest and harmonically interesting pop tune that I think was ever written. A challenge to do it justice while maintaining the mood and not hit any clams. Ha!Ha!

Marimba variations on Henry Mancini's "Moon River". Some spur of the moment improv on this classic song. I enjoy the orchestration potential, expansive range and varied colors of the marimba.

Hey all, I'm starting a new lesson series with the goal of transferring some pianist language over to the vibes. I am a pianist and a vibraphonist, so a lot of my practicing has been doing just this.

The first is on Oscar Peterson, who is actually, I think, one of the best-suited pianists to adapt to the vibes, and I play with this stuff all the time.

Transcription of solo using Upper Structure Triads on "What Is This Thing Called Love". (Thanks to Nico Chara for the transcription) The improv concept explanation and the first chorus analysis is included in The Complete Guide To Improvisation Volume Two.

For more on the topic, including the specific USTs being used, here are page excerpts from the book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6z3NzPm4yYpckJlWjlwdm9DTXM/view?fbcli…

“Lucky Southern” by Keith Jarrett. It’s been sort of a Berklee standard through the years. A fun song to play with an AABA form.

“Who Can I Turn To” - inspired by pianist Bill Evans’ version of this classic song. Focusing on some concepts from my upcoming book Solo Vibraphone Playing. The book will include many concepts from my studies with Gary Burton as well as many others gleaned from the many great jazz pianists. It may take awhile to get it out but stay tuned.

"Everything Happens To Me" - Exploring on the vibraphone while playing over the piano track.

Always a work in progress but also fun at the same time.

Using the first 16 bars of Exercise #1 from Ted Reed's classic book, ideas are adapted to the balafon in a variety of styles to build independence.

Download the attached excerpt from Ted's book.