I notice that there are players who use the Burton Grip and use the 2 inside mallets for their lines. I always thought that was weird for a couple of reasons, the main one being that I have a feeling if the right inside mallet was better that Gary would be using it in that way.

I do think though if you are going to play that way you need to really work on that right outside mallet. My grip is different in a small way, and I use the inside mallets and I work also really hard on the outside mallets.

Ok, I know I come up with lots of ideas, and some don't make it. But heres another one.

I think I'm going to try and do office hours, like we do in college. Maybe pick a night and do a few 45 minute sessions with anyone that needs help with something.

Don't think of this as a lesson exactly, this is where I just help you with one thing you're working on. Maybe try and get you over a hump.

Here's a new piece that I composed.

It's called "Warrior"

The piece is in 4 movements connected together.

I.Love
II.Hope
III.Pain
IV.Revenge

Hope you like it,

The piece is still highly improv based but I've started to notate it.

I saw a workshop with Joe Lovano in my neighborhood last week and something he said kinda stuck with me. It was a little question and answer session between the sets and someone had asked about this apartment that Kenny Werner had in Brooklyn (I think this was in the 80's)that they used to hang at. It was surrounded on all sides by a vacant lot, so they would hang and play all night long. What this reminded me of seems really simple, but crucial; they used to play ALL THE TIME.

Hi all,

Here's a lick to work on. Sometimes, I like to use double stickings and paradiddle type rudiment patterns in lines to create a different effect. Notice that the left hand stays on the accidentals. Also, another way to practice is to heavily accent the right hand; it creates a polyrhythmic kind of effect. Because the lick is just used over a 4 note cell, it's very versatile with changes. You could use this pattern over Cm, Fm, Bbm, Dbmaj, Ebmaj, Abmaj,etc!! Pretty much anything with those 4 notes in it. Try messing with it and enjoy!

Behn

Does anyone own or know someone who owns a first generation Yamaha YV3400 vibraphone? I'm looking for a picture of the original cross bar/pedal that folded in half. Thanks!

Here's a track from "EARMIX" wih Daniel Humair, Drums. Marvin Stamm, trumpet and Sebastian Boisseau, bass.
I kind of forgot about this project, probably because I wasn't crazy about the results. The whole album was more or less free, with a minimum of structure. Sometimes that can lead to exciting results if the musicians know each other well and are sensitive listeners. We'd never played before as a band and were together two days in a studio in the south of France.. I'm not convinced about everything on this album but here's one tune. See what you think...

Man am I excited! First Joe Locke then Terry Gibbs, NOW GARY! Detroit doesn't get many big name vibists coming to town so every chance I get to see one of the greats I don't pass it up.

I had the opportunity to meet Joe when he played with his Milt Jackson tribute band. Unfortunately I didn't meet Terry but I sure hope I can meet Gary just to say hi and maybe get a pic with him.

http://www.detroitjazzfest.com/11lineup.html