Well my friend Stefan (same name as me) and me had a session (bass&vibes) and we started working on some christmas carols. Dispite this recording being full of inacceptable flaws and displaying our poor level of musical skills I hope it just shows the fun we have with being bloody amateurs. And it can also be taken as a proof how incredibly good all the pros on this website are.

Cheers Stefan

I talk a little about bass lines and how to work on them.

When I started playing with 4 mallets, I had to choose which grip to use. I decided to use the Miceli grip because it seemed like an intuitive transition from using 2 mallets, where the inner mallets (mallets 2 and 3) usually handled the melody and the outer mallets (1 and 4) helped with the harmonies. It seemed to me that if you wanted harmony, it would be above the melody (e.g., a third), with mallet 4. As I understand the Burton grip, the melody is usually played with mallet 4. It didn't seem natural to me so I stuck with the Miceli grip.

Check this guy out!!!

It's several things. Your internet connection, traffic in your area, and us.

Since video happens over time, you need to get the data in a timely manner and that doesn't always work right.

On your end you might have cable internet which can be fast and slow depending on how many people in your neighborhood are on at the same time. Or you might have DSL and it just might not be a fast enough service.

On our end we need to learn more about video and how to stream and compress better. We're trying. We're working on some things now that might solve the problem.

OH man.

oH MAN oh Man OH MAN Oh man OH MaN Oh man OH MAN Oh man. There's nothing else to say.

Last minute post and just a long shot, but if anyone is here from the Harrisburg, PA area, I'm at the Harrisburg Hilton tonight. Trio, John Ragonese (sax), and Micah Jones (bass).

Just thought I'd mention it. Probably should have posted this a few days ago.

The Hilton is a great Jazz Room. Sometimes it gets noisy, but for the most part it's cool.

Check out Patty playing the Friedman etude No. 13. What's great is since her right hand is injured, she's using just her left. During her injury that lasted 6 weeks she practiced like a maniac with just her left hand. I BET HER LEFT HAND is pretty happening now! huh?