This is a clip from the 1960's featuring Canadian jazz musician Don Thompson on vibes. Don is a quadruple threat on vibes, piano, bass and drums and plays them all with virtuosic aplomb. He started out as a bassist with the John Handy Quartet in San Francisco, though he was a professional by age 20. He did a long tenure with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, first as a percussionist, then as a bassist and finally as a pianist.

Tony asked me to write a little about my book,”Vibraphone Technique, dampening and pedaling“; how it came about, what motivated me to write it, etc.

More by "kanazoé". I love this guy. and there's such a study in his playing. Has anyone adapted it to the marimba or vibes? I mean really adapted it.

This guy is a monster.

Here are some 4 mallet exercises I made a long time ago. These are just some ideas of how to create exercises to practice 4 mallet playing. I hope you like these. See the attachment for the pdf.

I've watched the video I linked to above here several times now. There is a whole study out of how this guy plays. And I think if any 2 mallet player incorporated that into his playing he opens up a whole new world of things.

Since the instrument is pentatonic I realize there's a sort of drum factor happening there, but still that guy makes so much music out of that instrument, I'm floored.

Can I ask you guys a favor? Could you go into itunes and then go to the store, search for 'Percussion Geeks'. Then just write a glowing review of the video podcast.

I would REALLY appreciate it. Even subscribe to it if you can. It will help with things over there.

thanks

here you go! work hard!

I mentioned something about swiss drummers in another post and thought I would post this. This is pretty amazing to see. It's called basel drums, and they play with these realy thick sticks and most off the rolls they do are not using rebound, but strength. They play every note! I had a lesson in school from one of these drummers, amazing!

This is a version of Someday My Prince Will Come done with a couple of University of the Arts students. I did this last year to send to a couple of schools along with my application. It is very rough, but enjoy.