Dana talks about a Mexican Marimba, how it's made and how to hold 3 sticks in one hand.

Hi everyone,

My artist page at Vic Firth has been updated with more videos and downloads including tracks from Depth of Emotion and Key Play. The page also has information on my new mallet as well as some past PAS articles that can be downloaded. Videos include Black Orpheus, The Last Goodbye from the Berklee Performance Center in Boston and excerpts from my PASIC 2006 clinic in Austin, Texas.

The Vic Firth site also has a fantastic 8 part series of masterclasses by Gary on sticking, the four mallet grip, pedaling,...

Here's the link: http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/saindon.html

Guys!

I just had Tony on the phone, "jailed" by his layover at the Paris CDG airport! He’s waiting for his next plane to Ireland for his first workshop… He sounded great!

When he called I had just started that post to tell you this: don’t you think because he is away, the site is on holiday. Dana and him worked hard to let subscribers have some lessons during that time.

This is to go along with Dana's Video. See above for the link to the video.

This question was just asked by Ed Saindon on a post today… well I have news!

Yes, Joe is less on the site than he used to be, but who doesn’t know about his crazy life and agenda? On his itinerary, we can see he will be touring in Europe in July, but I’m sure he’s just very busy with all kinds of terrific projects (which I have no ideas about!). :o)

But there is a great news about him: yesterday evening, he won for the second time the prestigious JJA Jazz Award as Mallet Player of the Year!

Here’s a track from Key Play (2004) which featured Kenny Werner on piano and me on vibes. The track is Jitterbug Waltz by Thomas “Fats” Waller. It’s a great tune and a lot of fun to play on. We played it in Db although it’s played quite often in Eb. Dana is planning on transcribing the solo for a future article in Percussive Arts Society’s magazine Percussive Notes.

Sorry Emilie, I couldn't resist! :o)

Emilie just posted this vid on myspace. The sound of recording is not perfect, but... wow, I love her playing and dedication! And she's just not even 22!

What do you guys think?

MN

So, this is my first blog entry and I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate this site. I have learned a lot from this site since I joined not too long ago. What a great Atmosphere!

Alright so I'll get to the point. Earlier I posted a few videos of myself playing some 2 mallet stuff working on lines and such and I got lots of great critique and pointers. One specifically was to ALWAYS use 4 mallets (If you want to be good at 4 mallets that is). I took that advice and now any time that I play I am holding 4.

One of my most favorite blues. bluesis blues' Whatever.

Just knowing Ornette wrote the tune, puts my head in a different vibe. Maybe it doesn't quite come out different but inside it is.

This is the practice session that got me into the etude listed above next to 'Check This Out'. I think when I practice sometimes I'm practicing who I want to be when I grow up. There's a type of musician I want to be. Now whether I am that type of musician or not is irrelevant when I'm practicing, it's just what i'm striving for.