Chris Thile is one of the best mandolin players in the world. He was in the band Nickel Creek, and now is in a band called Punch Brothers. He is a monster improviser who plays a lot of jazz, bluegrass, and classical music.

Check out his lines. The melodic development is really something... you can tell that he has played a lot of Bach. I heard him talk about how he practices Bach. He learns the piece, then improvises over the harmony playing stuff similar to what Bach wrote, but not the exact notes. What a great idea, treating Bach like a bebop head.

This is why I bought the MalletKat. To play stuff like this with my shirt off. Now wouldn't that be cool??

Some of you guys are NOT going to dig this. But some of you are going to flip. I flipped.

Hi all,
I am crossing the globe to do some gigs in Italy (around the Milan region).
Can anyone point me in the right direction to hire or borrow a good set of vibes for a few days (or possibly a few weeks) in that part of the world.

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Victor recently posted this awesome picture of him and sax player Jorge Roque Martinez on his FaceBook page. He nicely allowed me to "steal" it and share it with you!

Anda!! :o)

Watching the average music we are used to post on the site, I've been thinking about introducing more of latin influenced vibists.

Victor Mendoza is a great, great example. Up to recently he was teaching at Berklee, until a few months ago when he moved to the new Berklee school which opened in Valencia-Spain.

I know too little about Victor, appart that he's highly respected by his peers and students. I love this latin version of the standard, Victor's touch, language, skill and the way he gives a new and personal life to the tune never forgetting its origin...

Hey all,

Very little use, custom foamed carrying cases (3), like new condition. I'm retired and too old to carry this heavy baby to my gigs. Looking for an M55G same condition or sale for $4,500 (with cases) or $4,000 without cases. Buyer pays shipping. In case of trade, shipping is negotiable.
Pictures on demand.

Here's an exercise that will help with vocabulary in modal tunes.

Here is the registration for Delaware. Flyers are going out this week. Then it becomes first come first serve since all this is done electronically. If you're thinking of coming, now is the time.

Sounds like it's going to be a great week. Mario from Alternate Mode has a lot of great players coming in including Samuels.

We have Friedman coming in (hoping for a Double Image concert) and i think a few other players. So this will be a great week.

Tango vibraphone solo by a master argentin vibist. Enjoy !