Vibraphone

Here's another classic from the same session in Palermo, Sicily as Poor Butterfly, which I posted a week or so ago, with Monty Alexander, Ray Brown and Grady Tate. Pay particular attention to the dynamic range within each phrase of Milt's playing both in the head and his solo. Not only is the articulation of each note clear and specific, but there is a flowing rhythm created by mixing dry and "wet" (pedaled) notes. Therein lies a lesson for all of us. Enjoy, and Happy New Year to all.

A lovely song that works great as in so many ways.

My student Dan Neville is an amazing student. He works his butt off. I'm really happy and proud to be working with him.

Check out here how he's working on a tune:
https://www.vibesworkshop.com/blog-entry/little-suede-shoes-all-keys/vi…

Hi All,
As I write this I'm listening to Kevin Mahogany and "Just My Imagination," from his Pride & Joy album. Just Mahogany and the piano (James Weidman). I'll be playing it on my February show in his memory.

Vibraphone Masterclass – Left Hand Accompaniment on “Poor Butterfly: Here are some of my thoughts and techniques for left hand comping on this great song from 1916. Hard to believe this song was written that long ago. I’m more or less playing in a four to the bar feel ala pianists like Errol Garner, George Shearing, Art Tatum, Dave McKenna and Teddy Wilson. I really enjoy playing in this style and playing tunes like this.

This is my solo vibraphone arrangement of a beautiful Christmas Carol. The harmony is from the English composer Harold Darke's 1911 setting. It presents a few technical challenges with slide and double stop dampening. I am still working on it myself as I stay out of the bleak midwinter in Minnesota. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Ed posts a lot on vibes workshop. Maybe this is already there, but since i'm thinking about technique and music, I thought this was pretty amazing.

It kind of floors me to watch this. Just think about all the upkeep that has to go on in Ed's head! Dampen this, pedal, dampen with my hand, staccato here, play this chord, dampen this melody. I laugh sometimes watching Ed play. It's amazing and funny how Ed is controlling the instrument.

Merry Christmas and Good Vibes from McMurdo Station, Antarctica:

Yesterday (Christmas Eve in Antarctica), I had the great honor of participating in one of the coolest events I’ve ever done. I performed my arrangement of The First Noel, which I call “Noel Antarctica” for various U.S. Field Research Camps around Antarctica including the South Pole, Shackleton Outpost and Wais (West Antarctic Ice Shelf).

I just watched this John Piper video as well as Ed Saindon performing All the things you are (part of his Vic Firth Series). It's fascinating watching these guys play. They have spent countless hours developing their technical skills and they bring out really great sounds on the instrument.