We had a Sunday coffee hang with Gary Burton which was so great! He is so full of knowledge and in many ways the best vibe player ever.
He talked about playing solo and the need to play chords and melodies. He has a very pianist approach to the instrument. And IMHO no one has ever played it better.
This lesson introduces a new variation, a more syncopated approach to bossa nova comping over the A section of Wave. Designed to deepen rhythmic phrasing and hand independence, this variation more closely simulates the natural, flowing feel of authentic bossa guitar patterns—adapted for vibraphone.
We had a great session!
In this lesson, we expand on the rhythmic comping vocabulary introduced in Pt. 5 by applying Variation #4 to the entire A section of Jobim’s “Wave.” This segment combines voice leading and rhythmic consistency, helping develop both harmonic awareness and a deeper connection to groove within the bossa nova style.
Working on Time Pt. 5 – Bossa Voicings on “Wave” (Intro)
In this episode, we explore voicings and time feel for the iconic bossa nova intro of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s “Wave,” which vamps between Dm7 and G7—two beats each.
We’ll start with foundational voicings and gradually apply a series of rhythmic variations to build your comping vocabulary and groove awareness. The included PDF features four rhythmic variations that progressively increase in syncopation and complexity, helping you develop both feel and control.
Practice Tips:
🎬 Lesson 4: Expanding the Blues with Functional Harmony Goal:
Strengthen time feel and harmonic fluency by adding functional variations to the 12-bar blues form, while maintaining steady comping with a metronome on beats 2 and 4.
🎬 Working on Time Pt. 3: Simple Blues with Four-Note Voicings
Goal:
Play through a simple three-chord blues using four-note voicings, while locking in your time with the metronome on beats 2 and 4 at a medium tempo. This lesson builds on Part 2 by applying the foundational third and seventh movement into fuller voicings across an entire 12-bar form.
What you’ll practice:
🎬 Lesson 2: Building Time Through 3rds and 7ths – Intro to the Blues
Goal: Develop internal time and harmonic awareness by isolating key movements within the blues progression.
In this lesson, we’ll begin working with small sections of a blues form using dominant chords. The focus is on identifying and connecting 3rds and 7ths—especially how they voice-lead smoothly when chords move by fourths.
🎬 Lesson 1: Building a Solid Time Foundation With a Metronome
🎯 Goals:
Rhythm Changes Harmonic Vocabulary - Part 4
In this fourth installment of our rhythm changes harmonic vocabulary series, we continue to develop both rhythmic and harmonic fluency over the first A section. While the rhythmic pattern remains consistent with Part 3 in the first four measures, this lesson introduces new voicings and inversions that shift the color and register of the progression.