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Tony talks about assembling a tune

This part I focus on using one upper structure triad and mixing it with the 4 notes of the dominant 7 chord to create a melodic fragment.

I will use the key of C as an example in parenthesis.
In summary, we are using a Maj Triad built off of the 6th scale degree of a V7 chord that leads to I. This could be the V7 of a ii-V7-I. (D-7 G7 Cmaj)
The idea to make the melodic fragment is to use the 4 notes of the V7.
I III V VII (G, B, D, F) and mix them with the notes of a Maj triad built off of the 6th scale degree of the V7(G7). So an Emaj triad. E, G#, B.

After you know the chords and the melody what are some ways of assembling tunes?

I believe that without a foundation with the tune, it's going to be hard to 'tame' it. Even though I don't always practice what I preach, knowing the melody and practicing it is a great way to begin this process. I think we can get a lot out of playing the melody over and over. I think most of us (including me) don't put enough time into the process.

Check Out Mike!! Great playing.

Check out Behn Gillece! He's a great vibes player!

This is for Barry! Here's a slow mo' of 4 in 1 with a really nice stick drop at the end. (Inside joke for long time, vibesworkshop members).

Maybe this will be of some help with the etude.

I left the sticks after the throw up there for all to examine. You see I can tell the future by how the sticks fall onto the vibes. And I see a lot of good vibe playing in the future for everyone based on that throw.

Practicing tunes in other keys is a great exercise. Recently Tony and I had a short discussion on the benefits of transposing. It reminded me of "Comrade Conrad", a beautiful Bill Evans tune that actually moves up a 5th to a new key every chorus! The transition to a new key is so smooth the listener may not even be aware that the tune is moving through all 12 keys.

Very simple but very powerful

Terry Gibbs sent me a bunch of out of print stuff that he's given me permission to post for subscribers on the site! So keep an eye out!

Jimmie White did an internship with vibesworkshop.com and part of that internship was to do some lessons for vibesworkshop.com. Here's one and it's a cool one!