Today is minor key day. 
1. 12 harmonic minor scales.
2. 60 broken jazz chords in root position and today, 1st inversion.
3. 12 minor ii V i rootless jazz chord progressions.
4. Comping with these chords through the song, "Beautiful Love."
5. Sight reading Minuet by James Hook. 
6. Moose the mouche continues. 

Genius that I am, the video is shot reversed. oops. I blame it on the cold that I'm nursing. None the less, you get the idea. 

No Sunday practice because I had a paid drumming gig. 

Monday

• Moose the Mooche
  • 2 mallets on the melody
  • 4 mallets comping
  • I practice with the recordings.
    I slow them down if need be.​On Moose I’m currently using the brute force method of memorising, however, I do listen to the recording. My next step will be to write it out by ear, one phrase at a time. This should solidify it in my memory.
    
• Major scales in rhythmic patterns
• Rootless ii V I, 4 mallets
• sight reading simple 2 handed piano music on the marimba.

Short practice today because I'm off to play drums in a big band!

• Major scales in rhythmic patterns
• Rootless ii V I, 4 mallets
• Satin doll with a counter line in the left hand. I started figuring out how to play with 2 mallets while holding 4. 
• Marimba sight reading: Jumping Jacks by Andrew Markow. This is a 2 part canon. (Both hands follow each other.)
• Wailed through when the saints on the xylophone. 

20 minutes. 
​
Time to go. 

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• 12 major scales in rhythmic patterns
• 60 jazz chords played broken. (Today I played them descending.)
• ii V I rootless chords, major keys. (I’m feeling increasingly confident comping with 4 mallets.)
• Sight read the 1st section of the Handel on the marimba. 8th note equals 60, 80, 100, 120. Sticking at the end of measure 4 is L R, landing on L in measure 3. 
• Reviewed Bb Rhythm changes, Have you met Miss Jones, Bb blues, Summertime, In sentimental mood, and Take the A train on the vibes. (Using Rick Dior's valuable suggestions, I began experimenting with soloing on the rootless voicing outlines. I feel confident with my swing and blues chops, but my Bebop chops need some help.) 

 

D. 

Mallets
12 harmonic minor scales
60 broken jazz chords
minor ii V i rootless voicings
I practiced "Arabesque," by Gurlitt
Tonight I will revisit the minor ii V i patterns and practice one piece. 

I practiced playing the melodies and chords with the following recordings.

​David

This blog reports on my preparations and practice regime for this exciting milestone. 

Trio of Mallet Kat, guitar, jazz bass.
Venue: Golf tournament.
Pay: Good
Stakes: Low
Music: Jazz Standards.

Day 1 Practice.

• 12 major scales 2 octaves. 2 mallets
• 60 broken chords in 8th notes. 2 mallets
• Jazz ii V I rootless chord progressions in 12 major keys. 4 mallets
• Sight reading, Handel. 2 mallets
• Practiced Afternoon in Paris for 10 minutes. 2 mallets

30 minutes. 

I did ear training on my walk by listening to classic rock tunes and figuring out the chord progressions, piano and drum parts.

45 minutes

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ThlqLtya1jw?si=hgx6BkKoUv46_YnY I watched this video the evening before.

I important background. I know the repertoire; I've been playing the tunes professionally on the piano for over 50 years. I’ve been playing the xylophone since the pandemic. So, I’m not a total beginner.
​David