Keeping lines sounding really clean and clear is tough with vibes. It's easy to let notes ring together and just as easy to let notes ring together that shouldn't be. We have 3 tools to control ringing - the pedal, mallet/hand dampening, and using dead strokes.

I use dead strokes all the time to keep my lines sounding as clean as possible. This video clip demonstrates one example of where using dead strokes can make your playing sound just a bit better. The better you become at listening for notes ringing that should'nt be the better your playing will sound.

This is Tony's Funk transcription that he posted. The reason you can't hear then background track is because it's going through my headset.

here is the etude...

http://www.vibesworkshop.com/audio/funk-etude-1-tony-miceli/tonymiceli/…

I've heard about this young player yesterday. He's from Martinique, and lives in the same town as me, Montpellier ! Won the first price of "Conservatoire de Perpignan" (nearby French town).
Enjoy !

Hello. I'm a newbie with a grip question.

I'm planning to purchase my first set of vibes in a few days and begin learning to play.

I've got pretty small hands and, after decades working at a computer keyboard, I have developed a tendency towards tendonitis in the fingers.

Plus, I have some weakness and lack of flexibility in my right thumb and right ring finger.

I'd like to try learning with 4 mallets first. That seems to offer greater musical possibilities. If that doesn't work out, I figure I can always fall back to using 2 mallets.

Oh man! I found this old vid with my friend Norbert on vibes. This is one of his tunes, though the vid focuses more here on the incredible flutist "Magic Malik". The band's name was "Groove Gang"... Not too wrong huh? Enjoy!

Here's a lesson on a cool cycle idea.

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to share this. My gig from last saturday is already on youtube. And here I'm pretty well featured, so I guess this would be good to share. This is a great band to play in and she's going well. Big plans for coming year, so I'll keep you guys posted.

TJ