How to make the malletkat play expressively

Holiday weekend and I took 2 days off. 

The challenge with a malletkat is playing it expressively. (This is note an easy task.) When I listen back to my practice recordings I can hear my expressive flatness, especially when playing unaccompanied. So, this week my quest is to play more expressively. 

Step 1: I set the minimum volume on the vibes to 6. This gives me more control at the lower dynamic level. 
Step 2: I spent some time playing the broken 60 jazz chords with a crescendo going up and a diminuendo going down. I did the same with scales. 
Step 3: I pulled out some easy classical piano pieces and focused on playing them expressively. I become more aware of the feel of the mallets at the softer dynamic. Did I succeed in playing more expressively? Sometimes. Tomorrow I will experiment with different mallets. 
Step 4: I jammed on Blue Moon

Ella's version was relaxed and swingin'. The arrangement had some sophisticated harmony. 

Tommy's version was irresistible and much more fun and swinging. The A section has a descending bass line that goes CBAGFEDG.