Here’s what I got down with this etude. I think this one went really well, and I think there’s still things that I can improve with my balance (I definitely want to bring out my dynamics, and bringing up the melody to be clear over that bass line). Feel free to leave any thoughts and feedback on this piece and any advice is very welcome!!

Hey guys,

I’m Rupert Lo, and I’m really happy to be part of the faculty here. I’m a vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer based in New York City. I’ll be sharing some of the things I’ve learned along the way—practice concepts, creative approaches, and hopefully some inspiration for your own playing. I also keep a few private lesson spots open each month for students of all ages and levels. My email is below, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to connect!

🚨 Tune Deep Dive: “Wave” – Pt. 7: Harmonic Tension & Resolution 🚨

In Part 7, we shift focus to tension notes and their resolutions. By weaving in altered tones (♯11, ♭9, and other upper extensions), you’ll hear how dissonance naturally pulls toward resolution. This creates expressive solo lines that sound deeply connected to the harmony instead of just running scales.

In this lesson we’ll:

Here’s what I got down this Tuesday for this Friedman Etude. There’s definitely some things I want to improve, like I definitely started to rush at parts that were giving me trouble which I gotta watch out for, and I think there’s times when I might hit lower on the instrument and had gotten the node. Otherwise, I think I did well capturing the correct notes in this recording. Any other advice for what I could improve, especially something that I might have missed, is much appreciated!!!

🚨 Tune Deep Dive: “Wave” – Pt. 6: Soloing with Motifs 🚨

In Part 6, we focus on building solos using motifs—short melodic ideas that you can develop, repeat, and vary throughout the form. This exercise takes one simple motif and applies it across all the chords of the A section, showing how a small, clear idea can be adapted to fit shifting harmony.

Detailed Summary: The Genesis and Evolution of the Vibraphone

The Genesis and Evolution of the Vibraphone

The history of the vibraphone is characterized by intense commercial competition, continuous technological refinement, and pivotal artistic innovation [1]. It evolved from a novel percussion instrument into a sophisticated concert tool through a "symbiotic and competitive co-evolutionary process" [2].

🚨 Tune Deep Dive: “Wave” – Pt. 5: Scale and Arpeggio Options 🚨

In Part 5, we focus on outlining Wave with scale and arpeggio shapes. Each chord in the A section is approached with either a diatonic arpeggio, a scale fragment, or a tension tone (like ♭9 or ♯11) to bring out its unique color.

I have a concert in a few days. It's with The Philadelphia Mallet Quartet. That's me, Behn Gillece, Oliver Mayman and Morgan Walbridge. We are each going to play a solo tune in the middle of the concert. That's a little nerv racking! 

When I do something like this I first work on the tune, then start recording it. I walk in my studio turn on Logic. I HAVE TO play the first version complete. Imagining I'm at the concert and walking on stage. I have to try and play with some nervs, if you know what I mean. 

This was a nice discussion about Practicing. 

Older players have to really think about there hands. Esp if you're coming back to the instrument in retirement.