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Don't always look for reasons and explanations as to why to do something.

But I can take most of the tunes I know and play 3rds and 7ths only. Can you?

I used to really check out anything a great player could do and then I would do it. I didn't give a flying %$%$ why or what or harmonically this or that. I just saw they were doing it and I wasn't and couldn't. I figured if I was great then I could do it. That was my why to do it. Get it?

Balafon to Vibraphone: a unique path to new ideas

I wanted to share some thoughts about my balafon lessons and how they might connect to your primary instrument: vibes, marimba, piano, etc.

Read the pdf for all the information. Using licks to learn vocabulary and to practice moving harmony around in different keys is great! Take all your licks and move them around!

Find variations of them as well. Then you won't be a copy and paste player. You'll understand vocabulary and harmony and harmonic sound.

Anthropology is not an easy tune. But learn it any way :-).

Check out the PDF for the info. Simple 2 5 1 exercise through cycle of 4ths.

Moving scales, arpeggios, licks, little pieces of a tune is a great exercise for your brain and your musical 'overview' of things. In other words just get used to seeing things in different places. This doesn't matter what level you are at.

If you don't know what to do, then use 4ths. Move a little something every time you practice in a few different keys. A lick, a nursery rhyme, a jingle, a holiday song. Just do it. It will pay off later. Spend about 10 minutes in it.