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Do people like us still make CD's? Is there a point to doing that? I'm curious because things have changed so much since I was active in it full time. What is the standard media product for artists like us? Recordings have pretty much become "business cards" and give-aways. I'd love to hear the full scope of what seems cool and purposeful to the upcoming class of musicians and the established ones.

Our discussion of cord for vibes started to branch off in soft vs. hard mallets.

So I thought I'd open a discussion on that :-).

I don't want to say too much about it but I'll start off with this.

It's sad to go hear a vibe player and then you can't hear them.

I'm not innocent here, btw.

YOUR TURN

Let's add what you find to the Archive! :-)

Check out this link by Steve, read what he says
https://www.vibesworkshop.com/video-upload/just-kicking-around-original…

As many of you know, I use tunes not only to have fun playing over but also to learn about harmony, work on chops and time. Why not, as improvisers we can make up an etude on the spot. And as you get better as an improviser you can make more complex etudes up.

Minority is a tune with tunnel vision. It's the study of one note and meaning depending on what is surrounding it. The 9th and the 13th. In a 2 5 they kind of blend together. And Minority is a great example of this.

So here's a way we can pay tribute to Gary. Consider this his retirement card.

In the comments, post whatever you want. Play for him, talk about him, post anything. If you have a photo of you and him, send it to me and I'll post it under your name on the page.

When we build this up, I'll invite Gary over to see it. He used to be on the site all the time, but these days I think he's phasing it all out so he won't see this I think.

About 10 of you guys did the mini concerts. That's great for us to come together like that. It feels a little like we performed together. So....

What if we pick a tune and all study it together with goals each week. It could even be beginner, intermediate and advanced goals. The point is we all practice together and post our work as if it's a lesson. Which it sort of is right?

What do you guys think?

http://www.garyburton.com/news/this-is-it-gary-announces-his-retirement…

That's sad!!!!

How people handle their musical material is always interesting to me. As you guys know I talk with lots of students about solo playing. I believe you should spend a lot of time (in your mind) walking on stage and playing a piece or two as if there is an audience. The best way I know of to simulate that is to record your performance. video is best. Then you have to look at yourself!

On facebook I asked for a list of solo cd favs. Here's the list I got:

I was talking to a student today. This student is nervous about getting out to play. This would be the students first jam session. The student is very talented and needs to get over this hump. If the student played about 5 or 6 jam sessions that would be it, they'd be fine and could get up to play with ease.

We have to play in public. This is really how we get better! And there's no excuse for not doing it. Learn tunes and get out there. People are cool and anyone who says anything negative to you is an A-hole, so don't worry about it :-).