I just heard the post of nico, where he is playing just friends solo, and also the lesson tony did about solo playing as an answer to it. So I thought I'd post a tune I was working on playing solo: falling grace.

Giving it away to the first subscriber who posts a chord melody version of the tune, 'What's New'.

The first one who posts it here, gets the Aebersold book title 'What's New'.

Here's a link to the book:
http://www.jazzbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAJAZZ…

Thanks to toddc for donating a bunch of Aebersold books to give away.

Posting a response to Nico's solo post on the tune "Just Friends". The link to his video is under 'Check This Out'.

I have a situation with my Musser M55 vibe that's becoming anonying - the instrument doesn’t hold very steady during playing. From what I can tell, the problem is in the assembly where the wheels are allowed to swivel. That section of each wheel has a wooble in it. In other words, it’s not the actual wheels themselves that are shakey, it’s the assembly above the wheels that has bearings in it that's causing the problem as far as I can tell. When I pedal, this location (the point between the part of the wheel assembly where it can turn around)has a lot of play in it.

You know you do. And you'll play better with my new mallets!!! LOL

They are finally done. Now I'll call Mike Balter and get a bunch! More news to come.

I bet most of the pros have done a few house parties. I dig them because usually you're in nice houses which means wealthy people, which usually means educated people and music appreciation.

We're usually left alone and can just play with no pressure at all.

Any other house party fans here? Oh yeah they usually pay GREAT!

Guys,

This picture was taken less than one hour ago: Philippe had left his beloved Britanny to spend a few days in Paris... and we just had our first meeting!

Our gentleman vibist was waiting hat off and large smile in the shop down my office.

We had the most pleasant lunch in a restaurant next door, that same place where I had lunch with Ed and Pam last year! We talked about music, vibes, our families, and life. I'm still smiling, remembering him snaping while singing Route 66, surrounded by a beer and a salad!

We took that picture, again same place as the one I took with Ed...

Here's what I was doing tonight. Just playing bach and then the blues. Trying to get something from the Cello Suite that I'm working in into the blues. Somehow the simplicity of and the magic of Bach's lines carried over at least in my mind. Then I decided to turn this into a lesson.

This is just a free flowing sort of lesson. I just 'ran the tape' and here's what came out. I hope some of you guys take a crack at this.

My buddy Jim Miller Lived out in the Midwest. His gig (years ago) was to set up in a club, wait for someone to put money in the juke box and then play drums along with the record that was playing. That freaked me out.

So check out this video of this cat playing along with tracks, rap and pop with ?marching drums????? Seems really strange and not something I'd ever want to do.

Could you guys do a gig like this?

You know I feel like you guys are an extension of my brain. I know some of you get that and that you would agree with me about your own brain. All this discussion and opinions about stuff stays with me! I've learned so much about duo playing from just hanging out with you guys and talking here.

My project with Diane Monroe is fueled by this site and all of you! We are working hard to get a duo group together and to work out the kinks. There are so many things that become apparent when you are baseless and drumless!