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Here is lesson two where I demonstrate harmonizing minor and dominant bebop scales. Make sure to run these through all keys with a metronome. Notice how the major and relative minor scales are identical (you only have to learn one that you think of 2 ways ;) Also notice that on the dominant scale you play a diminished chord on the natural sixth step (instead of flat sixth on others) which is a departure from the progression of I7-V7dim-I7-V7dim etc (I falter for a second with this on the video). Please also practice the arpeggios on the chord tones and non-chord tones as well.

Here is my first lesson on applying the drop 2 voicing concept to the vibes. The ultimate goal is to be able to harmonize any melody with a 4 note voicing the way a horn section in a big band might or even to execute solo passages in this style.

Please go ahead and purchase Mark Levine's "The Drop 2 book" here:
http://www.shermusic.com

OK... when I first told Tony about this, I realized immediately that I have kept this hidden for years because, frankly, I am embarrassed at the way I wrote it. It was 30+ years ago and I had more than just a little youthful attitude. It sucks in that way. Here's the deal though... if anyone out here can benefit from what I started then I should put it out here and trust those of you who know me to understand that a kid younger than my own children are now wrote this.

Just a quick tip when working on tunes. This sort of gets you into the zone of the tune. It's a good warm up to ensure that you know the changes of the tune.

Here's the Cherokee etude. It's sooo hard, I'm burnt out on it! I give up.

I wanted to play a bass line over a head. You can't do it over a solo really, but over a head I thought it was possible. I think it's a technique that can be interspersed in a tune or solo. I don't think anyone should strive to play a baseline through a whole tune.

My goal for this year is to learn to play scales and modes.

i was talking to a friend of me who plays in an orchestra which had a concert with evelyn glenni shortley. he told me that shes using the pedal with her left foot if shes playing in the high registers. sometimes if i play there i got problems with my stand also...i just want to know what you guys think of this?

At the end of my last lesson with Tony, he gave me two Bill Evans CD's to check out. One of them is Bill Evans' "Alone". Tony said that he learned to play solo vibes from this record.

As soon as a got home I checked it out. First of all, I'm a big fan of Bill Evans. (is hard not to be, right?)so I knew that whatever I was going to listen it was going to be beautiful, emotional and magical.