Hey guys,

I just ran across this new vid of Gary and Chick playing Chick's arrangement (I'm assuming) of Chega De Saudade. I know they've been all over the place in Europe recently. This concert was in Istanbul. Brilliant arrangement by Chick. He's great at coming up with these types of arrangements. He keeps the essence of the tune, but inserts his own trademark type lines and harmonies. For more examples of this, check out his solo piano cds where he's playing standards. He did this as far back as on Now He Sings, Now He Sobs where he plays his version of How Deep Is The Ocean.

Rob is a great friend of mine and a great teacher that specializes in beginning students on all percussion. His claim to fame as a teacher would be that he was Ari Honigs first teacher.

I'm trying to recruit him to help us with the beginners section of the site. I think he'll blog and post ideas and questions and see where we're all at.

Meanwhile, ROB post a comment below and tell us.... Who Is Rob Zollman?

Ok, I turned the camera on and decided to talk about practicing when you don't have loads of time. Then I discovered I could talk and play for about 20 minutes, so I drift off a little, but this might be of help to some of you.

TJ

Here is a quick lesson I did today on basic II V I Voicings.

Hope this is a start to get some more beginner stuff out there.

TJ

PS: sorry I didn't have the time and tools to cut out the beginning and end...

Excerpt from "Four by Four" concert. With Milton Fletcher- piano, Ron Mahdi-bass and Kendrick Scott-drums.

I thought this was pretty fantastic (just wish it was longer.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6viMdUquK4M

- Nick Mancini: vibes
- Matt Clohesy: bass
- Take Toryama:drums

If you guys don't know yet Nick Mancini, you'd better change this now! My opinion is simple: very few vibists speak soooo clear to me. Word! That's quite amazing!

Tony says that theres stopper like things that go on the top of open post to close them in. Anyone know anything about them? If i were to buy them, i would need a lot! Does anyone know where i can get these?

Hey Everyone,

Here's an etude/arrangement on the TOTM, Fried Bananas (pdf is attached). You can use it as a shout chorus or supplement for the tune, enjoy!

Behn

David Friedman- Etude 27
Practice video; comments are welcome!