I've been talking with a student about clarity. Just think about what that might mean. What do you need to be clear? How do you play clearly.

To be clear on something, you need information about the subject. How can I talk in a clearly way about life in France when I've never done research and only spent a few days there. I'd need to go and live there, or at least do a lot of research (practice).

I thought I'd pass on some of the things we came up with when talking about clarity in class.

Over the years I have had several vibraphone and marimba students learn and study hymns and chorales. These are wonderful tools for developing chordal playing, voice leading techniques, and learning theory. All of this can be translated into jazz playing and developing comping skills. I even use them as daily sight reading exercises.

My favorite band EVER!!!! I couldn't find a clip where they actually played it but you can see it in this clip.

I was asked to post more comping etudes. Here's another take from my previous 'All the Things You Are' chord study.

I think the best way to do this is to write in the changes from the Real Book. Then look at each chord and check out what I'm playing. The trick here is to notice what's being played and what's not being played in each chord.

Again I like leaving the chords out and having you write them in because it focuses you on the tune and focuses you on looking at the music and analyzing the chords.

Also included above is Phillipe's play along track.

Here James puts all the drums together.

This is the book that Stefan is working out of that many of us had never heard of! Contemporary Vibraphone Technique by Dave Samuels

It isn't available from amazon, but Steve Weiss' website says they have it in stock:

http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/2200/mallet-books-cd

James

Here is my attempt at playing my transcription's of ed saindon Blues in F.
I have made a full transcription of it, but still can't play it till the end...
practice, practice...I hope to put a better version soon !

On Saturday, April 18 the Pennsylvania PAS Chapter hosts a very special "DAY OF PERCUSSION" at Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown, PA. Please view the attached flyer.

The event will feature clinics by such notable artists as:
DAFNIS PRIETO (drumset)
GORDON STOUT (marimba)
CRIS DEVINEY (orchestral perc)
ALOKLI WEST AFRICAN DRUM EMSEMBLE
KYLE DUNLEAVY (steel pan)

Hey malleteers,

We haven't had a lively discussion here at the Vibes Workshop for a week or two, so it's time to bring up a couple of perennials: Grips and Sticking. Let's start with Grips and get into sticking maybe next week.

James Armstrong talks more about Voodoo drumming. Part 3