Xylophone

"Time and Space" is an exercise that rhythmically slices intervalic space into whole and half-step movements ascending and descending between the lower note to the higher note. By first defining the predominant interval in half-notes and then rhythmically slicing it up into various divisions of quarter notes, triplets, and simple odd tuplets (5:2 and 7:2) we can strengthen our inner feel of time using the space between the two outer notes as a reference.

What is your recipe for success?

okay, so when I first started studying in Berlin, David told me to write an etude every week. which was super challenging a couple of years ago. but seeing the progress I made through this - not only with my technical skills but also challenge myself creatively - I found it to be a great great way of making progress.

i filmed the whole thing for you. hope you find motivation and inspiration with this.

thid etude is about comping yourself with the left hand. i made this whole thing in about 30 minuets. maybe 40. so its not perfect, but you get the idea.

Here's a sample of my current morning warm ups. My warm ups are always comprised of something I'm working on and spend about 30 to 45 minutes on them and then move on to learning tunes, practicing improv or whatever but first, I warm up with my current challenge goal. I stick with a particular warm up subject each day for as long as it takes to really get a good grip on it. I'm just about finished with this particular one and I really enjoyed it so I thought I'd share.

Merry Christmas and Good Vibes from McMurdo Station, Antarctica:

Yesterday (Christmas Eve in Antarctica), I had the great honor of participating in one of the coolest events I’ve ever done. I performed my arrangement of The First Noel, which I call “Noel Antarctica” for various U.S. Field Research Camps around Antarctica including the South Pole, Shackleton Outpost and Wais (West Antarctic Ice Shelf).

If you're old enough, you probably remember back in the 80's when there was a popular advertising campaign for Windy's that coined the phrase "Where's the beef?" I've found that the current state of affairs in music has a relationship to that commercial - Where's the motif? Where's the melody?" "Where's the beef?

I've known many good people who discount the relevance of art because it has not been explained to them in a way that they understand. Art is a quest for greatness in all forms. It sets the bar for humanity. It's the best and highest level of accomplishment that humans can achieve or fathom. An artful effort supplies the world with a path toward achievement. An Artful accomplishment offers the world hope of that achievement. Art is not mere entertainment. It is purposeful beyond all other physical things.

Hello Vibes Workshop members,

I'm very happy to announce that my book, "The Band Teacher's Percussion Guide: Insights into Playing and Teaching Percussion", (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-band-teachers-percussion-gu…) has just been published by Oxford University Press.

This is Michel Petrucciani playing the most beautiful version of "In A Sentimental Mood" I've ever heard. I decided to share it here because Tony recently requested ideas for solo playing and I forgot to mention this one.