Learn the melody!
Know the chords¡ 

Then do this lesson!

Theme from "Cinema Paradiso" by the great Italian composer Ennio Morricone. Thinking of everyone in Italy. This is a little clip for all of my vibraphone friends and colleagues there. Hoping things get better soon. Best wishes for everyone there.

About the clip: Experimenting in the basement "laboratory" today with vibes and strings. Layed down a string track from the electric piano and then played the vibes over that.

Off the cuff version of “Just Friends” while in between teaching online today in the studio. Pretty much just focusing on lines here.

David Friedman
Tony Miceli
Hauke Renken

Students
Morgan Walbridge
Jared Kirkpatrick
Oliver Mayman

"St. Thomas" by Sonny Rollins and played by Herbie Mann's Quintet with Roy on vibes.

This is an unusual duo as both men play piano and vibes. Be sure to check out the role reversal here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwaYNMoiynM

Welp-- tried a few takes of piano on the Malletkat and then threw on some bass and vibes.
Not happy with it-- but got to test out a two cam workflow. Resolve is pretty slow on my computer..
Might switch to something less frustrating.

Didn't mix or anything-- just played and called it good. The Play patches sound good!! Software control is good with the Malletkat-- less success on a Roland Integra..

kk that's all!

This is the arrangement I did of "My Ideal" that I played for my mini-concert, which I have continued working on.

I know it's not exactly improvising, but I really enjoy writing solo vibes arrangements. It's like writing for a band that I can always have on call to rehearse!

What are the best books out there for this? I think I recall that Ed Saindon is writing one. Any others I should know about?

Feedback welcome, as ever.