Here are three simple left hand exercises to practice.

A chance to practice stride over the holidays.
A chance to get some free mallets.
A chance to get David Friedman into the Christmas spirit (and possibly convert him)

This is a tune I wrote for my harmony class project. Let me know what you guys think. I think one of these days I'll be able to get a trio in my apartment and maybe join in on the vibe hang. I have some pretty decent Rode NT5's that I used to record this that I think would work fine for live stream.

Joe Doubleday- Vibes
Max Moran- Bass
Miles Nasta- Drums

So I find that dealing with concentration is a major factor in my practicing. How do I stay focused when I play, that's been my topic lately in my mind. HAHAHA that is while I'm playing!!

I'm finding that singing or playing drums vocally tend to really help and so I realize I'm making more noise when I play. More than usual. And I'm seeing other older musicians do some of this and am figuring that many of us face the same problem.… I'm usually not alone with my problems even though I think they're usually catastrophic and all about me!!

Video quality is not so great but whoa listen to Joe!

Patrice gots the blues... And man he's got it!! :o)
And he's also a bit in a hurry: wait till the end, a surprise for you Tony!
I love it!!!
- M

I was messing around with settings on my camera and trying to find some quicker ways to shoot video and I made a lesson up. Simple but you guys might dig it. Wasn't easier and had some trouple with the cam, but consider it a QDV (Quick and Dirty Video).

Todd posted this on Facebook and I thought it was pretty interesting. I think that the basic premise of you play what you hear is so true that it's close to a "duh!", but putting it into practice can be difficult.

When I play, I often feel like I'm three different people simultaneously competing for dominance. There's a panicked animal that's just trying to keep his place and not screw up. There's this analytical guy saying, "OK, V7 coming up, diminished or altered scale?". And then there's this touchy-feely guy who's trying to guide the whole thing and make art.

here is my final version of bluesette in 5/4. beside tonys lessons i think it was great challenge to do it in 5/4. it´s now so easy doing it in 3 :)
it´s still hard to get away from that take 5 rhythm while comping and play solo simultanous and to play free in 5/4 i need a lot more work on it but i´m almost satisfied with my improvement here

tarik