Since it was Lionel Hampton's birthday on Friday, I've decided to focus my practicing this weekend on tunes he was known for. Figured I might as well start with the one that started it all! I tried to play as Hampton-esque as I could...you can be the judge of how well I succeeded!

...I had to use the school vibes for this, and the pedal is definitely a little creaky! I played along with this recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_QDBdWsaNw

And here's the backstory from Hampton on how this became the first recorded tune with vibes:

Practicing Misty. Melody alone (well, with Florian coughing in the back ground) ;-)

Here's one chorus etude on rhythm changes. Just one chorus chock full of bebop licks. Usually when I work on blues or rhythm changes I'll transcribe a bunch of stuff, then mix it up together and make a little etude like this to practice in some different keys, thinking about how the lines work and trying to make it swing and feel natural. See if you find that useful.
-Tyler

I too would like to give my little contribution on our new TOTM and post a lesson... A great lesson!
Enjoy, work hard, and post your version based on it!! ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNZBHkTUv24&feature=share

Here is a video from my MMus Recital,

Enjoy :)

So I think a bunch of us should go nuts and make a commitment to rhythm changes.

If there was a good commitment we could even plan some things. Maybe get some guys over here and do a vibe hang where we play ONLY rhythm changes or variants of!!!

How about one head many keys every 4 days!

Lots of ideas. Who would practice the crap out of rhythm changes???

Another memorable day for a memorable guy, Lionel Hampton who's birthday occurs today. What an amazing guy, he put the vibraphone on the map.

http://youtu.be/R_rTICMVXQQ

John

His name is George Weldon and I think he's local to Philadelphia. But there's something very interesting about this photo.

Let's pay a little tribute to Teddy Charles who left us this week... Smoking title from 1956... with Charles Mingus (if you please!) :o)

PF NEWS UPDATE:
(If you know musicians that are interested and contain the descriptions below, please forward this message to them)

This years PF Academy Week will take place on the Conservatory of Amsterdam from the 6th till the 14th of july. What will we offer you:

- Special guest coachings by Tchiki Duo and percussion professor Peter Prommel.

- Days from 10:00 to 18:00 and on some days we will plan some extra private classes, or a guest tutoring in the evening.

- Ramon and Vincent will be helping and coaching each of you during this week.