all-levels

"God Bless The Child" - one of my favorite ballads composed and sung by the great Billie Holiday. Some exploration with dampening and solo playing techniques that will be covered in the two books (solo vibraphone playing and dampening) that I've been diligently writing. The books will include etudes and exercises well as solos on such standards as Mandel's "Emily" and Gershwin's "Someone to Watch over Me". It's a lot of work but rewarding at the same time. I'll be working well into the Fall since I'll be on a sabbatical from Berklee.

A few days late but I still wanted to get something posted. I've had a lot of back pain recently so I didn't get to practice as much as I usually do. Fortunately, I now have bed risers under my vibes making the instrument taller for me, and it seems to be helping!

Finally was able to play it by ear in 12 keys, thru circle of 4ths. Great exercise!
Next I want to do it in Harmonic Minor. I am teaching myself to hear chord qualities, like the ii7(b5) and minor(Maj7).

Playing a solo vibraphone version of a new composition titled "Minor Haven". The lead sheet can be downloaded via the link in the video description.

A little late, but I'll be uploading a lot more soon.

I recorded a 4-mallet balafon improvisation that managed to keep the time and rhythm cycle clear enough for me to layer grooves on Cajon and stick. My goal in this samba-like sculpture was to surrender all tension and rhythm gravity, to get into a perpetual flow with lots of energy using the entire range of the instrument. Subscribe to the VW site and discover balafon ideas that can be adapted All Ways and Always.

"Woodwork" is the opening track to my 2006 CD "The Turning":
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/jerryleake