Vibraphone

Posting for Tony. Something I recorded last November.

Hi Tony,

I had a go at this. I should probably practice it more, but I was inspired by Al to post something. I had to simplify a chord or two to play it at this tempo. I also missed at least one chord in the bridge, but I think I kept the time together.

Does anyone remember the story Gary told about this tune from his autobiography? As I recall, George Shearing gave this tune to Gary at rehearsal thinking it would be difficult for him. Lo and behold, Gary was already familiar with the tune and blew through it no problem!

-Tristan

It’s just about playing silence. How to play the silence. The challenge here is to say enough without saying too much. Needs a lot of practice. Phrasing is one of the key.

Just picked up an m-75. I think it's the first year they made it because the motor is NOT variable speed. And a Deagan Marimba from the 40s in beautiful condition.

The m-75 is a fantasy instrument of mine. I promised the owner that they would be put to good use. A school is getting the marimba. The m75 is not a good instrument for a student, so I think I'll sell an Omega that I have at a good price. That's much better for a student.

My friend Fisher at Ischell has finally finished his vibraphone mic system called Bar X. These are contact mics that go on each par like the piezos but mic the bars in a much more organic and acoustic way. (I have his bass mic and have used it for years now and it is the best pickup/contact mic out there)
I am negotiating with Fisher to get a loaner (they are really expensive) to test out make some videos and put thru it's paces. We shall see if he is willing to make one for demonstration. I'll post here if it happens but just thought I would make you cats aware of the system.

I saw Tony's email on Friday with a link to the music for this, so I decided to take a look at it last night. And shot this video this morning.

There's at least one wrong note, so I haven't earned the "free" skype lesson, yet...assuming no one else has posted this. Has someone? :)

It obviously helped a ton to write in the chord symbols (pic attached). Took it slowly to make sure I am learning it. Challenging!

Thanks for the inspiration, Tony. I have so much work to do. Onward!

National Science Foundation contacted me at the fire house in McMurdo Station and asked if I would put something together for International Jazz Day from Antarctica. This was at the end of my shift on 4/25. They said they needed two-and-a-half minutes of recorded music by the afternoon of 4/26. I got off work the morning of 4/26, went straight to the Chapel Of The Snows (where I keep my vibraphone and practice), got four volunteers from the firehouse to hold camera phones while I played.

"East of the Sun" - A classic standard that my students and I have been playing to work on improv concepts and solo vibraphone playing.