Skip to main content

Language Lesson #1: A Bud Powell Lick

Learning the vocabulary of jazz is one of my favorite -- and, I would argue, most rewarding -- things to do in the practice room. Just like human language, jazz vocabulary allows us to musically understand one another, know how to react to one another, and keep ourselves from saying something stupid. From Monk-ish quirks to the pentatonic idiosyncrasies of Coltrane, jazz history is, in many ways, synonymous with jazz language -- you can see the evolution of the music, the cultural influences, the “family tree” of players, etc.

Biggest Complaint about your vibraphone

What is your biggest complaint about your instrument frame? What repairs have you been putting off because parts are too hard to find or too expensive to purchase? I've heard many complaints over the years and I want to offer solutions to all these problems. I'm not interested in cosmetic issues like chipping paint or color of the bars. I'm more interested in the sound of the instrument and performance of the frame. These are things I can help with. I want PIPERvibe.com to be the place everyone goes for upgrades, improvements, parts and repairs at a REASONABLE price.

Discussion Time: You Have to Show Your Brain What You Want It To work On

I think of things like you guys do. I think of them all day long and I'm sure you guys do as well. I am preparing for the Team Omega workshop and I'm writing down all these notes and ideas.

So this is something I thoroughly believe and I'm thinking of having guys keep a journal during the workshop and write there thoughts and my thoughts in them as well as any one's thoughts and then think about them BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY act on them.

So you guys are my test subjects.
What does this mean?
How do you do it?
What is the outcome?