Ed posts a lot on vibes workshop. Maybe this is already there, but since i'm thinking about technique and music, I thought this was pretty amazing.

It kind of floors me to watch this. Just think about all the upkeep that has to go on in Ed's head! Dampen this, pedal, dampen with my hand, staccato here, play this chord, dampen this melody. I laugh sometimes watching Ed play. It's amazing and funny how Ed is controlling the instrument.

While we are talking about technique and music, check this out. This is so Beautiful and there's so much technique in here! The technique is astounding and the musicality and passion is incredible! David is a master at using technique musically. He blows me away.

Get the whole cd here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/weaving-through-motion/909622329

Merry Christmas and Good Vibes from McMurdo Station, Antarctica:

Yesterday (Christmas Eve in Antarctica), I had the great honor of participating in one of the coolest events I’ve ever done. I performed my arrangement of The First Noel, which I call “Noel Antarctica” for various U.S. Field Research Camps around Antarctica including the South Pole, Shackleton Outpost and Wais (West Antarctic Ice Shelf).

I just watched this John Piper video as well as Ed Saindon performing All the things you are (part of his Vic Firth Series). It's fascinating watching these guys play. They have spent countless hours developing their technical skills and they bring out really great sounds on the instrument.

---I say this ever time. Listen to this for one hour and you will have new vibes players and new CDs to check out. Gloria does all the curating for us.
Gloria is incredible.
--Tony Miceli

This month I'm sharing with you one of my composition that I've transcribed for vibes solo especially for you:
The tune is dedicated to the memory of my mother and it's called "Una danza per te".

You will work on how to play a good melody but also dampening and pedaling, nuance and phrasing.
Is important to keep the comping lower than the melody and try to play the theme as a singer would play it: in fact there are also words because the tune was written as a song.

Working on a few things the other day on this special song. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

"Miss Otis Regrets" - composed by Cole Porter in 1934 for the revue Hi Diddle Diddle that opened at London's Savoy Theatre. I was made aware of the song by Keith Jarrett who played a gorgeous version for an encore at his Carnegie Hall concert. So many great versions of this song sung by vocalists but one of my favorites is from Ethel Waters.

Happy Holidays!