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I started working on the Cherokee Etude. Here are the first 32 bars. I cheated a little bit, splicing in a couple sections and removing pauses. Eventually I will get it smoothed out.

My sticking is different from Tony's suggested sticking. I am exclusively using the inner mallets, always alternating, for the bass line and mallet 4 for the melody. I haven't tried the second half yet, so I don't know if I will be able to use the inner mallets, alternating as I do in the first half...

Barry

This was recently posted to YouTube. I never heard of Chuck Redd before. He's played with some big names. Sounds great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFP_jpjZnBs
http://www.chuckredd.com/recordings.htm

Barry

I was watching a video of a concert by Bobby Hutcherson and Joey de Francesco and in the middle of the concert there was this interview made to Bobby Hutcherson, I was blown away by his words. I just wanted to share this with you because I thought that this just describes what's important in life in general. Here are some of his words:

“Music is not the image is only the reflection of who you are in your life.”

“Music reflects and tells the story of what is going on around you.”

“The rules of life are very simple. They are just not easy.

I just read that Joe Cuba died yesterday on Sunday, February 15th. I only knew of Joe from his hit "Bang Bang" and that was the result of Cal Tjader covering it on Cal's Primo album (David Sanborn also covered it among others). The obituary mentioned that his bands were vibraphone-driven, so that piqued my curiosity to go to Youtube and see what was there to be viewed.

Hey guys Last night I went to dizzys club in new york and saw joe locke perform and it was really amazing! Joe has such a beautiful sound and approach to the vibes and the music. If you are in the area you should go see the show! He is there through sunday!

I was logged in the site this morning and I was just amazed of how much information is up now. There are so many things to work on that is just overwhelming.

Wow, people are getting involved. That's so cool. I love it. Keep going!

I'm making a solo vibes piece out of Joe's Sword of Whispers. I think I'll video it Tomorrow and post it. Then I'll write it out and make it available for anyone who wants to check it out.

Also doing a video duet of one of my tunes. Using the green screen.

This (see attached pics) is where I spend a few hours everyday. It's a room-within-a-room, in my basement. Soundproof for the people next door, and for my family upstairs. I start soon after breakfast, always with the vibes, still trying to tame that Vanderplas. Then I move to the drums (1970 Gretsch mounted with Earthtone heads) and let steam off. Then a Havana cigar, and a streetwise book. My grandson Steven plays alto. He knows more at 13 than I did at 20. My buddies Laurent (bass) and JM join me a couple of times a week for sessions.

I was inspired by tonys insane cherokee etude so I thought i'd throw up a version from a different angle! Hope you enjoy!

So a lot's been happening. Some behind the scenes, which is why I haven't been online as much as usual.

Here's the scoop:

First thanks to Joe Locke who talking with Nico Vanderplas and Bill Youhass agreed to send a 3.5 octave set of vibes down to vibes workshop. What a gift! You heard my old instrument. Well it might be great for practicing, but when I would get hate mail from Piper about the sound I knew something had to be done. I just wasn't sure what! Then Joe, Nico and Bill came to the rescue. Thanks so much!!!