Vibraphone

This is the final upgrade of this year for this vibe. I'm heading out for another 8 to 9 month deployment to Antarctica but when I return (in Mid-July, 2018), I'll put the final toughes on this instrument and make 5 to 10 frames that will accommodate Musser Bars and Resonators for sale to a select few people. This is the "Silent Wide-pedal, Hinge" upgrade. It's awesome.

Come Rain Or Come Shine by Harold Arlen (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics) - working on some improv and reharm concepts from my improv series The Complete Guide To Improvisatiion (3 out of 4 volumes currently available). Great song by Arlen. He wrote so many great standards.

THE VIBE is getting closer to what I want in an instrument! You're seeing it here as it develops.

A flute and vibes duet

Check out the sound track. Great! Here's what my buddy John Keene wrote me.

This is the season 1 finale of Peter Gunn (episode 38 which is hard to believe they used to do 35+ episodes per season for these old shows). There are a few standout things besides the basic plot.

Check out this episode of Peter Gunn

(thanks to John Keene)

John thinks (and I think) it sounds like Red Norvo.

What I find interesting is making personal arrangement by playing all the parts on MIDI keyboard and acoustic vibes all over. You learn the tune then in the least detail.

Tony has challenged me to post 12 versions of Little Suede Shoes in 36 days (one every 3 days) in each key of the pythagorean 12 note system (well-tempered).

The rule: I must play the head, play Charlie Parker's solo, and then improvise within the key for 1 chorus. I end it with one A section.

You're on Tony!

On display is Little Suede Shoes in its original key of Eb. Each new key will be posted as a comment.

Great to be back starting the Fall semester at Berklee. Hard to believe that I'm in my 41st year teaching at the college. Seeing all the talented and motivated students is energizing. Had a little break today and was trying this song that I never played before. It's a beautiful song called "Carinhoso" composed by the great Brazilian composer Pixinguinha. I love playing Brazilian music!