Member

I've not posted recently, though I have been playing a lot. Summer workshop at UDel was awesome and for the first time, I felt like I at least understood the majority of the information, even if I couldn't play all the exercises. I'm playing for 3 weeks now with a band sponsored by the local Senior Center in Centre County PA. The "Second Winds" plays a lot of 30s and 40s big band and jazz tunes. We're booked in weekly for one rehearsal plus one performance at senior living centers throughout the county, also some outdoor fests, and the annual Bellefonte Jazz fest.

This clip of Green Dolphin Street was released today on the Vic Firth You Tube channel. Kind of crazy that Green Dolphin Street just came out as a TOTM.

Steve's melody based on the standard How About You. From a duo recital at the Conservatory last week. Hope you enjoy.
Rusty

I forget to blog. I forget to talk about stuff. This is what helped me learn how to play the instrument. Talking and playing with people.

When I saw Tyler's post about blogging, I thought, OK that's what I needed. I loved doing a practice blog on here. So maybe I can get back to it.

Today:

Audioclip up on SoundCloud of solo vibe track of Green Dolphin Street taped during a Vic Firth videoshoot at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Videoclip of this track will be released on the Vic Firth You Tube channel this month.

Check his grip out! Check out how clean he plays. IMHO this is really really great playing!

Hi Folks,
Haven't been as active as I'd like to have been this summer, but wanted to take a minute to write a short blog. I don't always feel efficient in my practice sessions, but just had a nice one today and thought I'd talk about what seemed to work for me this time:

My opinion: You're never done learning tunes. I used to know a lot more than I do now when I was doing more standards gigs. I feel that the ones I know know I'm much deeper on though. I always learn more about music by learning a new tune.

Here's what I did this morning to work on a new tune:

Had a fun time working on this solo vibraphone piece. Exploring feathering the pedal to articulate diminuendos.. As well as an ongoing quest: accuracy, phrasing, better groove/feel.

Superb playing, IMHO
There's a beautiful Tchaikovsky piece too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhHnVWL0GY4
and ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wvMTDs5YGQ