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I've been recording myself playing tunes solo the last couple of nights. I play several versions of the tune, listen to it, critique it and then play a few more.

What I like about that is you play for about 30 minutes and then listen for 30 and then play again. You get a good chance to really check yourself out. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't record myself. It helps me so much!

I once again learned a valuable lesson. I learned about instrument sound. Using soft sticks and playing loud creates a lot of instrument noise.

I was in the studio with Diane Monroe playing duo. So nothing covering up my sound. I was hitting hard with my soft mallets. And we heard noise from the instrument. Partly from me playing over the damper bar. I had to switch to harder mallets to get the sound I wanted!

It's funny to see this talk about learning tunes. I have 3 tunes to learn. 2 I have never played and one I've forgotten.

Jubilation (new)
Que-Tee (new)
Conception (forgot)

I spent the last 2 hours on Jubilation. I learned the melody first and then the chords. Just playing along with Cannonball (one version) and Art Farmer (the other). Two different versions. Then I checked the harmony.

Hey Vibes workshop,

Its been a month since the delaware workshop, ive learned alot, and when i practiced my 4 hours in my practice room i would work hard to memorize these tunes. Its a month later and now,the chord changes of Stella by starlight, lullaby of birdland and part C of Green Dolphin street seem blurry and i cant seem to memorizie them after a week. Any tips on Memorizing Chords to a Song

I did a recording session yesterday and something awful happened. We were playing the tune Move by Denzel Best. I couldn't play one part of the tune. I had to practice it for 20 minutes. I realized that I got into a bad habit or something over the summer and my right hand changed. I actually had to work the problem out in the studio (all friends, luckily) and come home and think about the problem. I can't really explain what it was but my right hand was moving a little differently from my left. I could feel it changing back as I practiced during the day and night. It was weird.

No gig today (I'm glad in a way). After doing a bunch of BS I got on the instrument. I'm learning the Parker Tune Quasimodo. I love the head and it's a challenge to really get the phrasing! I have 3 recordings, Paul Motian, Parker and Ralph Moore and each one is a little different.

BTW - Quasimodo is based on the chords to Embraceable You.

I'm so into Parker tunes and learning them as a tune and as an etude. In other words it's a real opportunity to study phrasing.

One year ago today Marie got her vibraphone. As you guys might know, Marie has been in love with the vibes for a long time. She finally bought her own set and is practicing on them! She's my right hand girl on the site as most of you know. I don't think the site would be as good without her giving us all encouragement.

Anyway I wanted to wish Marie's vibes a happy birthday in their new home!

This is the power of us all working together. I'm checking out all these videos on the blues. I'm listening to the blues in the car and the blues is coming out all over the place for me!

You guys are influencing me big time. This is the way I hoped it would be!

Well, I'm all over the blues these days! Right now listen to Ray Charles and Milt Jackson. Those cats can play the blues.

Says panting and out of breath:

Drummers dad dies last night.
Got him on a bus to NY at 2:40. He's got to get to Cleveland.

What about the gig today?? We need someone. Well got Arturo Stable, so that's COOL!!

No time to practice anything today and only slept a few hours!!!

Gigs all through the weekend. Man I have not had an august this busy in a long time!!

Ok, what are you guys up to this weekend? Any cool gigs? You gonna practice?

BTW - More blues lessons coming!! I asked Behn to do one also!

I thought I'd share a pretty funny story from a gig last night: