This is an effective 4 mallet exercise that I’ve been using for years. I do the exercise at the beginning of my practice time and often before a gig or concert. I think it helps to condition your hands and fingers by building some strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Ok here's a video on the etude: Holyhell937. I perform it and I talk about it.
I hope someone else tries to play this, misery loves company!
Here's the link with the actual lesson and pdf:
http://www.vibesworkshop.com/node/4435
Way cool!
When I write etudes I really try to work on aspects of live playing. Most of my etudes will be centered around tunes and focus on accompanying yourself playing a melody and soloing. Some of the etudes attempt to show how little you really have to play to accompany yourself and make the harmony work. There's a real misconception in my opinion about how much you have to play to accompany yourself in a solo setting. I don't think the vibes should be played like a piano. They're not a piano, they're a vibraphone. I try to reflect that as much as I can in these duets.
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This is a wonderful video of a very young Gary Burton performing a solo piece. I think it's an original composition of Gary's. I'm sure he'll watch the video and comment here on it.
What was amazing to me is besides the haunting beauty of this piece was his technical facility at performing a rubato flowing piece like this. I think the dampening is incredible. Check it all the dampening he's doing with his palm.
--Tony Miceli
p.s. I forgot to give credit to John Daly who caught the video on tv and quickly recorded it knowing it would be valuable to the site.