Most of us voice from the bottom up, right? C maj 7, we hit the C and build up from there.
Try voicing from the top down. See the B or the D and then fill in the rest of the chord. It's not easy to switch, but it will REALLY help your playing..
Here's a lesson from a while back. I didn't dig it so I never posted. I didn't think I really did a good job Illustrating it. Maybe it's not so bad, but I think the idea is important.
It's about role playing, thinking like you're a different instrument. I think putting your brain in a different point of reference can really help your playing.
Let me know what you think.
Ok Tricotism: Here are your assignments :-)
Beginners:
Intermediate and advanced
Here are the courses for our General Intermediate Vibes Course.
It's assumed that students have experience on the vibraphone, can play scales, know chords and are not beginners with harmony and technique.
*note to professors. This is designed to be an online course. If your department's students are all subscribers of the site, you may be entitled to online workshops or even in person workshops depending on the number of students registered.
The Chief is a really nice tune Pat Metheny wrote and recorded on a CD called Reunion, with Gary Burton. I made this video clip for one of Tony's Vibe Hangs, and decided to post it here too.
I've included links to the Lead Sheet and an mp3 of the Piano Accompaniment to use to practice the tune.
Cheers!
I've always admired of how well piano players can play changes with walking bass lines. It's not so easy to accomplish on vibes. The way I attempt this requires some mallet dampening to keep everything sounding full and clean.
To get started you might try writing out a walking line to practice with, but ultimately you want to be able to create your voicings and "walking bass" spontaneously.
Here's a PDF with the G half whole scale. It's a scale that outlines a G7 b9 chord. I ask the question what if the chord was a G7 b9 #5, what would the scale be. Write it out and send it to me!