Here are some exercises and info I gave a student on Solar.
WANDERING SCALES - I think it's a good exercise to be able to move from scale to scale from wherever you are. Here's one chorus of that.
SOLO TO TRANSCRIBE - Transcribe it!
That simple. Trade choruses with me on Blue Bossa. Record it and post it here!
Chia Hui
If there's problems with the lesson let me know. I don't have time to check it!
Learn the melody!
Know the chords¡
Then do this lesson!
This is the arrangement I did of "My Ideal" that I played for my mini-concert, which I have continued working on.
I know it's not exactly improvising, but I really enjoy writing solo vibes arrangements. It's like writing for a band that I can always have on call to rehearse!
What are the best books out there for this? I think I recall that Ed Saindon is writing one. Any others I should know about?
Feedback welcome, as ever.
These are two recent arrangements of mine.
I was inspired by David Friedman to try Emily in some different keys. I found it works nicely on the vibes in A, which I think is the key Bill Evans plays it in. I did a modulation up to C for the solo. I attached a pdf of the arrangement.
I decided to learn My Ideal after listening to Tony play it on the site a few weeks ago. I like the straight 8ths feel from the Aebersold playalong, so I tried to keep that playing it solo. I got lost during my solo (mixed up B and C), but I think I recovered.
Working up a solo version of Horace Silver's Peace. We all need some peace right about now...
Comments welcome - work in progress.
Comment if you want me to write out the chord melody and upload it!
This is a project I've been working on for a long time. I'm offering it up as new practice material while isolated due to Coronavirus Lockdown. It's about 1/3 complete but it's a LOT of practice work.
I came up with the idea about 35 years ago, then put it out in a very rough form with intentions of someday making it more user friendly. In the past few years, I add to it it when I feel like messing with it. It's great practice material and is very challenging. I thought I'd add it to the mix here at VW for folks looking for something different to work on while held up at home.