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Quiet Nights

Here are comping examples based over the tune 'Quet Nights'. There are 3 examples. Each one varies a little bit. The last 2 especially work well with no accompaniment. For example if you comping in duo with only a flute.

Check out the rhythms and the consistency of the rhythms. They repeat over and over to create a groove.

Brazilian Comping

Check out these little snippets of comping based on a Brazilian feel. I basically took the guitar and bass parts and put them together. I added seconds to the bass line to add a percussive sound to the rhythm. The guitar more so than the piano plays a very rhythmic part in this music. Also that fact that I grew up playing guitar, I was drawn to this instrument. Listen to real Brazilian music and check out the guitar. You'll hear these rhythms. Try and recreate them with the feel that you hear.

Grooves

This section will cover grooves. Ethnic and other grooves. When it comes to ethnic grooves like Latin and Brazilian ones, I don't consider myself an expert. This is mainly for the reason that I didn't grow in Brazil or Cuba. Those musicians are the real experts!

However I have played with many great musicians who were truly experts in these styles. They gave me tips and advice and ways to learn and adapt the music to the vibraphone. This is what I can pass along to you.

Chords Etude

This is a difficult chord study etude. It's straight eighth notes and based on 'Blues for Alice' changes. Definitely not a performance piece but it will get you moving around the instrument and working on chord melody ideas.