Made you look!

I decided to go back and transcribe Coltrane's Giant Steps solo again. I did it a LONG time ago! It's like when you re-read a novel that you read 25 years ago, it's kind of like new, but there's something familar as you go along.

I'm doing this and thinking about all the guys who say, don't transcribe and I'm thinking, wow, from my perspective that's so ridiculous.

I dig logging in here and seeing 4 to 8 guys online going around the site. That alone gives me a good feeling.

I took a break this week from putting new video up and I've been experimenting with ways of putting it up quicker and easier, but still decent quality. I'll get a decent system down.

But I know there's a ton up here now and plenty to work on. Some of you guys are commenting on stuff, I'm getting Skyped, and IM'd, getting questions. It makes it all worthwhile.

you still working on friedman?

check this out. blue bossa stuff.

you got all my stuff? everything cool on your end? got stuff to work on? i'll listen to rainbow now, see if it's fixed.

Just got the Garritan Jazz & Big Band sounds for Band in a Box and decided to try it out with Blue Bossa. I am getting better an memorizing the changes and trying some improv.

Still finding my way around.

However, Tony is offering you guys some valuable avenues to obtaining musical knowledge and information, as well as unifying a community of musicians. My experience has been that vibe players are "outsiders". Yes we provide music, good music, good additions to bands but we were never the band, mostly the guys who "stand over there someplace." "Find a spot over there" etc., etc. Things are getting better and Tony is leading the way in understanding the complexities of being a vibraphone player.

Here's a lesson from a Percussion Geeks Episode on dampening. I think you'll find it pretty helpful.

Ok, I'm definitely not Johnny 2 Mallet man, but I do teach students how to play with 2 mallets. Especially when they're beginning.

Here's a video to help anyone working on 2 mallet technique. Just a few tips.

One way to learn to comp on Bossa's is to listen to others do it. As a matter of fact that's the best way!

Check out the Getz/Gilberto cd I mention above, that's a classic. I talk in that article on ways to use the cd to help you learn to comp. Most of the tunes on the CD are in the real book.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. If you get these cds let me know what you find out and learn from them. Post your comments below!