I busted Mario's chops all through the workshop in Delaware for a good discount for anyone who came to the workshop. Mario finally agreed to $425 dollars off the price!

I begged him to extend that to ALL VW members and he agreed.

So if you want a mallet kat NOW is the time to get it!!!

Just go to the Alternate Mode Website and email mario!

Professor Price was an outstanding host. It was no small feat to commandeer an entire building and arrange for so many instruments. He was behind the scenes, but every time I saw him he looked liked he had just ran a mile or two. He deserves a round of applause. Hopefully our behavior was good enough that we might be invited back next year. Maybe we could challenge the Termites to a softball game.

Oops I think I posted Part 2 without Part 1, so here it is! - Tony

Hey Guys, I thought i'd post this example of one of the ways I work out a composition. With this method I use a synth on my computer to record the different sections and get a vibe. I then continually tweak it until I feel like its a complete statement and then eventually play it on the vibes. Then I write it out in music notation. This composition is in the middle of tweaking. I have the idea of the form and melody but I still need to fine tune it. enjoy!
For now, this tune is called "Space Blues"...

At the Delaware Workshop the first week in August, a number of the participants decided that they'd like to put into action some of the things they learned. To do this, it was suggested that a group of us work on a "tune a month" concept. Here's the idea:

John Daly has been editing the tape from the Ireland workshop. Here's one about playing double stops with the left hand and playing 'fake' octaves.

Victor is a bad ass pan player as we all know!

What I learned at the workshop....

1. Mallets made with tie died yarn are magic.
2. Perfect 4th intervals are nomads and are useful just about anywhere.
3. If you play the #9 + b13 + b9 of a dominant 7th chord it makes two perfect 4ths. Interesting. Example D7 F + Bb + Eb.
4. Playing music is very hard work and those who do it for a living have special athletic ability.