When Tony announced this month's chords and harmony topic there were some comments expressing interest in exploring ideas for comping for a vocalist.

When working with a singer I generally try to play a minimalist roll. I think of myself as the picture frame surrounding a beautiful painting. Play something that enhances the vocal without getting in the way or interfering with the voice. Less is more!

I've been thinking lots about the open/closed thing that Tony brought up again recently, and so I've come up with an exercise which I've been doing everyday this week. It's quite big... I can just about get through all the keys in a hour now, and it still makes my head hurt following it through and remembering which chord I'm on! But I really feel it's improving my knowledge of scales (just major so far, but there's no reason why it won't work through other scales/progressions etc.), and the chords within scales.

I live in Philly and I'm looking to sell my Yamaha 3710 vibraphone. It's a GREAT instrument that needs a little love. Bought it new in 2005 for $5500. Needs a new damper bar and new motor. I have replaced a few broken bars, so some of them are the traditional gold finish (bought the gold matte finish ones originally). Comes with cases.

I'm selling it because I'm making my way into the jam-band/electro scene and want to get a MalletKat.

you can see the specs here: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/percussions/vibrapho…

Hi everyone,

I was wondering for a while about posting again some things here to get some feedback from you guys... But you know how it is, you always think you can do a better take and eventually don't post anything or get discouraged...
So this time I took a different approach : this is one of my first attempts to play this tune, and as I am just starting building up the arrangement, I thought it would be a good idea to get an early feedback from other vibes player. This way I could then work on achieving a better version, by intergrating all your constructive feedback !

Ok, stop, freeze. What's the last vibe cd you listened to???

For me it's Jim Hart's Narrada. Guys were talking about him in the shout box so I put him on while I was folding clothes. Great stuff! He's a great player.

Your turn.

Here's a lesson on taking voicings and outlining them to make lines.

Hi !
Here is a first version of "vince Guaraldi" composed by Tony...
After few (hurmmMMM) hour of practice...
I find it a very difficult.. theme is not easy and it's very difficult for me to improvise and comp at the same time too...
Actually, It's the challenge not raised...
But perhaps I'm going to find some advice here, to help me there..

Tony, some advice for the comping&soloing at the same time in this tune ? and perhaps for the fluidity of the theme ( soft baguettes would help me I think..)

Thanks :)
MIS

Hey guys, I jus ran across a post by Tony called Think Like a Drummer. Great post that I think has varying views and open for discussion. I entered Berklee way back as a drummer (was a Buddy Rich fanatic) and was lucky enough to study with the great Alan Dawson. I saw Gary play with the Mike Gibbs big band at a school concert. Had never seen the vibes before. Gary did a short solo on Keith Jarrett's Grow Your Own and that was one of those "wow" moments for me. Took up vibes starting with a beginning mallet class with Gary. Talk about being fortunate.