Lesson

I downloaded a lead sheet last night and started learning this.

This morning I've been trying to learn/practice it in different tempos; I'll upload two of those tempos here. While it was fairly quick to learn, the challenge for me is the swing, the feel. And really locking in the time. So I'll keep working on it!

This first video is of the slightly faster tempo. I'll load the slower one next...

Obviously, work to do. Onward!

Balafon to Vibraphone: a unique path to new ideas

I wanted to share some thoughts about my balafon lessons and how they might connect to your primary instrument: vibes, marimba, piano, etc.

Read the pdf for all the information. Using licks to learn vocabulary and to practice moving harmony around in different keys is great! Take all your licks and move them around!

Find variations of them as well. Then you won't be a copy and paste player. You'll understand vocabulary and harmony and harmonic sound.

Anthropology is not an easy tune. But learn it any way :-).

Check out the PDF for the info. Simple 2 5 1 exercise through cycle of 4ths.

Moving scales, arpeggios, licks, little pieces of a tune is a great exercise for your brain and your musical 'overview' of things. In other words just get used to seeing things in different places. This doesn't matter what level you are at.

If you don't know what to do, then use 4ths. Move a little something every time you practice in a few different keys. A lick, a nursery rhyme, a jingle, a holiday song. Just do it. It will pay off later. Spend about 10 minutes in it.