Since there seems to be some interest in spontaneous playing on the part of several "vibesworkshoppers" I thought I'd include the Generation Band's first live attempt at a free groove piece. It stays pretty much in D minor throughout. The challange is to create interest through interaction, melodic development and rhythmic interplay.

the duet is on the site. it's on the front page at this point.

listened to you more. think about your voicings. make sure the harmony stands out. compare to mine and we can talk next time we have a lesson. off to bed.

I'm working on Dolphin Dance with one of my online private students. I told him I'd do a duet with him. Here's the duet. I figured I'd put it up so anybody else who wants could mess around with it.

I'm not going for concert material here, just having a little fun. Otherwise I'd be there recording for days!

Below is the single part and the single part with a click track.

Take a break, this is really funny.

Here's all the Friedman Dampening and Pedaling vids and audio lessons on the site. This a book all of us should work through and master.

If you play any of the etudes not on the list. Please record yourself and post your performance!

Click here for the Friedman Book: Dampening and Pedaling

I banged this baby out. Really fast. But it looks ok. Let me know where the mistakes are.

But it's a lesson in drop 2 voicings. Now that I know what drop 2 voicings are I see them everywhere! How about choral writing. Big band charts.

This is a great video of Gary sitting in with a big band in poland.

Thanks to tifoo for finding this.

I have had an ongoing discussion with the handful of students and friends who have come to me over the years about the nature of what we are doing as jazz musicians, how to study it and how it fits into the whole music in general. Recently, Tony and I were discussing some of this offline and he encouraged me to put this out here in this forum for discussion.

I love that idea.

Here's my drop 2 Danny Boy. I use it on the head, and just solo not worrying about all that.

So now I need to write this out for you guys. OK!!!

I'm swamped so bad with gigs. But I'll get it done real soon!!!! I need to work more to help me support this site!!!! HA HA, but it sure is fun, hanging with you guys.

And I have 3 great Irish friends here. Of course Mr. Joe Locke who has become a great inspiration to me. I mean huge! And what a great friend. He feels like a brother to me.