New Vic Firth Performance Spotlight Clip of Body & Soul from Berklee Percussion Festival concert. It was a pleasure to play with Billy Novick - clarinet, Mark Carlsen - bass and Steve Langone - drums.

Vic Firth video shoot taking place this week at Berklee to tape several solo vibe and marimba videos. We'll also be discussing details for a "video-minus-one" project that I'll be creating for vibists and marimbists.

Hi Folks,
Here is an idea that I've been working on- some groupings of notes in the Melodic minor mode and ways of making melodies with them.
-Tyler

Hi guys here's simple harmonic lesson about three note voicing: a really simple clear and effettive way of comping a melody!!
Hope you enjoy the video. Feel free to leave a comment and contact me for any question about this topic or anything alse you want me to explain!!
best
Giovanni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSNKMi1-2dQ

When I was in school I collected some really nice tunes from a bunch of local players/composers like Dick Odgren, Thomas Lee, Mitch Coodley, Ed Saindon, Scott Free, Neil Olmstead, and many others.

This tune was written by Thomas Lee, a very prolific composer who's living and working in Cambridge Mass. It's a lot of fun to work out and improvise on. Check out the attached lead sheet.

I pulled out an old set of Burton mallets from the 80's. I had forgotten how perfect these mallets were. The rattan is narrower then any of my modern mallets and they have a quickness and tone that is really exceptional.The rattan is almost warn thru so I'd like to get that redone but I want them with the old narrower rattan that maybe doesnt last as long but has a great responsiveness and lightness that I really like.

Christos Rafalides live at "ZINC" NY (video).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUGfptIEzPjjZaB4on_M7n_Q&v=womNzb_Fj…

Hey guys,

Great workshop last Wednesday. The assignment is posted to the blackboard in the percussion room, but I'll post it here also. You can post your finished assignments here as well:

Compose a short etude on marimba or vibes. Use a recurring vamp theme. Etude must contain at least two different tonal centers. Provide a mp3 and written music with your post. Good luck!

Attached is a PDF. I think these types of exercises are invaluable. However they take a lot of time in the beginning and get easier towards the end. But you are a changed musician at the end.

Put the chords in (it's All the Things You Are). Analyze it a little bit.

Play it and memorize it.

Put it through all the keys, from memory. This is the very very important part. Eventually the melodies will be in your head and you will go to the right notes. You'll then see alterations in other keys, you'll be training your ears. I did so much of all this, back in the day!