Not sure how the Blue Bossa Etude is going over.... So I thought I'd add the melody on top and solo also.

I think to study harmony and study tunes, you have to come up with manipulation of the harmony. I always thought I had to take it 'somewhere' else. That's the idea of this.

Anyway someone commented on the fact that they couldn't hear the tune. It should be obvious now. So Listen to this. I've posted charts on both parts below.

Pure Spirit - Ed Saindon and Friends at Berklee College of Music

Life's Blessing - Ed Saindon and Friends at Berklee College of Music

I had a fellow few vibes enthusiasts over recently, during which I noticed how geeky we all are. I thought that I would post some photographs that were taken that day. Please don't blast me for posting a photograph of myself. I thought it brought out my best features.

I'm developing ways to quickly create etudes and studies. You know I've been doing this for 30+ years. I think by now I know the basics and can easily rattle them off. So what I'm working on are ways to get all this stuff out fast and easily.

Here's my first attempt. I played an etude in via the mallet kat and here's the notation and audio.

I didn't worry about pedal markings, this is a fairly advanced etude and if you're at this level, I would imagine you could crank out the pedaling no sweat.

I think it's ok for every young musician to rebel against those who came before if they choose. The discussion about lines and then John's post about challenges of the instrument got me thinking.

I'm curious to know what your most challenging aspect of playing the vibes is or has been. I'd like to know from both the "pros" and the "up and coming Pros". This should be very unique to each individual. We all have different views on how we want to sound (that's one unique view) and we are all gifted with unique talents and... well... deficiencies.

I posted this over at www.larrysimprovpage.com and thought that maybe it would be of interest to some of you here, especially the pros.

Everybody is going for a bail out plan, well jazz musicians should also. After all, look at all the gigs we're losing because of those greedy f*(kin b**t(*(s who chiseled away everything they could until there was nothing left. They didn't care about anybody including our jazz gigs!

So I propose only 1 billion to be set aside to compensate us for the following (that's much less then anyone else is asking for):

Tom Beckham Quartet "REBOUND" CD Release Event
Chris' Jazz Cafe

featuring Chris Cheek - saxes, Matt Pavolka - bass, George Schuller - drums

December 10, 2008 - 9pm
Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-568-3131
http://www.chrisjazzcafe.com

UPCOMING GIGS
Dec 11 Tom Beckham Group "Rebound" CD Release - Twins' Jazz, Wash. DC 9:00pm
Dec 16 Tom Beckham Group "Rebound" CD Release - Smalls jazz club NYC 10:30 & 12

hey all .. let me know what ya think of the sound quality of this. this is the maiden voyage for audio here in my new home.. vibes are in the living room so well lets see what kind of recording i can get ...

enjoy

t