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Grooves

This section will cover grooves. Ethnic and other grooves. When it comes to ethnic grooves like Latin and Brazilian ones, I don't consider myself an expert. This is mainly for the reason that I didn't grow in Brazil or Cuba. Those musicians are the real experts!

However I have played with many great musicians who were truly experts in these styles. They gave me tips and advice and ways to learn and adapt the music to the vibraphone. This is what I can pass along to you.

Chord Tone Solo Etude Based On Blue Bossa

Here is a chord tone solo I wrote out based on the same chords as Blue Bossa. You should play this solo, memorize it and then try and play it in different keys! You can see the solo below as well as download the pdf which is larger.

Since this is a chord tone solo, I only use the chord tones in the solo. I just go up to the 7th.

Click here to download the pdf

Bluesette Lesson Plan and Performance Compilation

(I've added audio and video performances of Bluesette above)

Below is a lesson plan to help you study this tune. Post some recordings here. Remember, recording yourself is a great way to work on perfecting the lessons below. Don't underestimate the power of recording and posting your work here. It's crucial to your success.

Here are some ideas for the tune Bluesette and how to study it.

Beginners:

  • Memorize the melody.
  • Practice root position voicings of the chords. Play them in time.
  • Work up a chord tone solo

Lesson Category

Difficulty

Access

All the Notes of the Vibraphone

Simple ear training! Download this zip file, unzip it, add it itunes or burn it to a CD. Set it to random and then follow the notes. Pause them in the beginning. Figure each note out with as few tries as possible. DON'T GO FISHING! That's what I call it when someone just starts hitting random notes to figure out the pitch they just heard. Take your time.

If you play a wrong note, sing the wrong note and then sing the note on the cd. Check out the difference and then play the right note. Make sense?

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7WOB - Here Comes 7 Weeks of Bebop - with a certificate

We will do 7 weeks of bebop tunes with assignments. If anyone completes all the assignments they will get a vibes workshop certificate of completion.

July 11 Fried Bananas
July 18 Donna Lee
July 25 Scrapple
August 1 Crazeology
August 8 Groovin' High
August 15 Tricotism
August 22 Au Privave

The sheet music for the 7 weeks is attached to this post.

Ok do you want to really learn and work on stuff during the summer?