I always have this thing. When I see vibe players play something that I think is really great, I want to try it myself. Some of the pieces up here that I've played were inspired that way. I don't do this as a competitive thing. At least not totally, mostly I do it to learn, to compare. What did I do and what did they do. What can I learn from them and do better. I guess that's how you study right? Your teacher plays something and you try to do your version and sound as good if not better.

So I'm hanging online with Patty via google talk and we were talking about Mike Pinto, so i figured I'd post the vid here. I think he sounds great, and his approach is a little different. He uses those Milt mallets but holds 3 I think most of the time. [I think.] He'll probably see this and maybe he can comment on it. Just goes to show you when it comes to grips. I like his lines so who cares about the rest.

jonathan,

just got a gig thursday, but i'm done at seven should be home by 9. is that too late?

i'm actually working every night this week.

if thursday falls apart then i think unless you have daytimes free, we're into next week.

what's happening with the resonators? any luck using them?

cu
tony

To be honest this was an interesting podcast for me to make. Take a look at Dan Gorlin. He does not look like an expert on West African music, particularly the music from Ghana. But he really knows his stuff and has been studying, playing and teaching this music for 30 years now.

If that wasn't enough, I've heard from two great Philly musicians about him, and he definitely knows his stuff.

Besides that, just spending the night with him showed me how much passion (and knowledge) he has for this music and for teaching it. This is a 2 part series, definitely worth watching.

Recording of today's sight reading etude with the pedal down throughout using dampening.

Link to etude: http://www.vibesworkshop.com/story/sight-reading-exercise-each-day-shap…

Recording of today's sight reading etude with no dampening.

Attached are the complete drawings to accompany the video on MBraces also available at www.VibesWorkshop.com

If you have a drill press and a few hand tools, this attachment has all the information you need to build your own MBraces (most new manufacturers already have this type of bracing on their instruments - though not this quality).

NOTE: The vender information listed here is also excellent information to have on hand if you own a "Piper Vibe".

Here's a tough mental challenge.

Hey Tony,

I told you about the theater show I'm gonna do from January untill april, right?

Anyway, I got all the music and it's about 42 pages of music that I have to play by heart... and it's drums, Vibes AND marimba. The composer is this famous dutch classical composer and the music is really Heavy Metal Reggae stuff and also classical combined... I looked through the parts this week and man, it's some difficult stuff!
The vibe parts are ok, cause that's mainly beautiful sounds and stuff like that. But the marimba parts are some fast mo' fo' passages(excuse my language... haha).

Hey everyone.... This is my first blog on Tony's site and wow what an honor to be in such company as Tony, John, so many heavy hitters... very nice

Anyways. in the past couple months my life has been so hectic working working working that i have barely any time to play my vibes, which at first drove be completely insane. However, what i have found in the process i would like to share with you ...What i have found in my time away from play the vibes is alot of ear training, listening, and mental practicing.