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Here a recent take of Wine & Roses (to get going with posting here)
Through practice of permutation from Bergonzi's Melodic Structures I recently started finding a way to bridge the "gap" between playing the head with chords (I generally start out learning a tune by fitting the chords under the melody first- as written on the pdf) and horizontal lines, in other words: move on from a "stiff" head to being able to improvise over the changes.

The steps I figured out playing more freely & horizontal were:

Barry was talking about preparing for a gig he might or might not do.

It hit me while I was practicing. Every one should spend time 'preparing' for a gig. Even if you don't have one, or feel like you're not good enough. Whatever!!!

When I post my solo pieces, I'm always preparing for my solo vibe CD. I might never make this cd, but I'm always preparing for it. That gives me a level that I have to achieve with each piece.

I fantasize about making a solo cd. So I'm always preparing for it. That means I'm practicing 'for real'.

Sometimes I feel like the scare crow in the Wizard of Oz. Not because I feel I'm missing a brain but because i wish I was a sponge. I want the capability to immediately soak up all the information available for playing vibes. And I want it now. At my age sometimes you feel its risky to buy slightly brown bananas.

I was lucky enough to get along to Ronnie Scott's on Saturday night, to see an absolutely fantastic gig. I rushed over to catch the late show, (all the early tickets were sold out, unsurprisingly) and a packed out club was treated to some amazing music.

The best students are the ones who teach themselves and as a result have lots and lots of questions for their teachers..

When I teach a class and we do nothing that I had prepared, then it was a great class usually.

For some reason that just hit me. I forget who told me that but someone great did, way back in the day.

Rather than bury back in my mind, I thought I would type out here.

What's your favorite cd(s) where the format is a vibes trio, that is Vibes, Bass and Drums?

It's interesting all the feedback I'm getting about my thoughts on trio playing.

toddc, jondaly, keene and friedman are all making great points. I've been thinking really hard about all this lately. I've been thinking about musically what you need to give someone for them to be satisfied musically. The listener that is. What will hold someone's attention and for how long.

This is making me think I should read 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Again'. Some answers should be in there, as I remember.

Behn is coming down to shoot some video and do some lessons! I know some of you (me too) really dig Behn's playing. So this is good news! He'll be coming down this week, and hopefull I'll have stuff up next weekend.

I have a hard time when I'm playing trio. That is when I'm playing a concert and playing trio (vibes, bass and drums). It's easy if you're wallpaper music, or if it's a short set but two one hour sets can be intimidating for me.

I played tonight in front of about 500 people and played trio. Most of the time when I'm in these situations I add a horn or guitar. I feel as though a vibes trio can get boring, like it needs something else. Maybe it's just my stuff (well it is actually) but a vibes trio concert is a big deal to me and can be difficult.

Hey guys i'll be playing at cornelia st cafe with my quartet Friday Feb 26th at 9pm.
Maybe see some of you there!

www.mikepinto.net