1. 12 harmonic minor scales with phrasing
2. 1st inversion broken 7th chords, 12 keys. 
3. Practiced, by ear, the melody of "the days of wine and roses" with Wes Montgomery. 
4. Worked on minor key studies in the Morris Goldenberg book. 
5. Comped the rootless voicings along with Wes Montgomery. 
6. Compiled a list of 50 jazz standards to review. I knew 40+ already. Now to fill in the blanks over the next month. 
7. I still have a ways to go before I can comp quickly through "Rhythm changes."

Eric Alexander, "play the changes!"

As a jazz teacher I implore my students to: 
a. learn to play their instrument because too many students want to technically play way over their heads.
b. practice the 60 jazz chords, starting in root position and then inversions.
c. engage with the original recordings.
d. drill, drill, and drill, the broken chords over the changes in real time. 
e. understand that jazz is all about touch, phrasing, and rhythm 1st, broken chords and harmony 2nd. 
f. realise that jazz is a contact sport. It is easier to learn with your friends.

By 7 AM, I had fumbled through all these tunes by ear. I played the rootless voicings, the melodies, the changes, and then I restated the melody. I thought I sounded pretty good.

​Now I'm getting ready for a service today 10 AM. Load the drums and leave early because getting across town through the Toronto marathon will be an adventure.

No practice today on the mallets but I've a good excuse. I played drum kit with the Kerr Street Big Band in the morning and in the afternoon I played, with the Metropolaton Silver Band, a joyous funeral for a former band member. Before, between and after I drove through heavy traffic to each event. In fact I spent more time in traffic than playing. 

The rootless voicings are coming together. Please note, I practiced them with the two videos below. That was helpful. They will be ready.
I also practiced the 60 jazz chords in 3rd inversion. 
I finished by beginning my transcription of Milt Jackson's solo on Bag's Groove. 1st chorus was easy. I recall as a teenager how difficult is used to be. 

I practiced comping and playing melodies by ear with the following tracks. 

Yesterday was a sick day. Back at it tonight.
After the usual warmup of scales and chords (which I played in 3rd inversion today), ​I worked on comping with rootless voicings and playing classical repertoire. Below are the videos I played along with. 

I comped through the following titles practicing rootless voicings. I'm pleased that they are progressing rapidly. They will be ready for the big date.

​I experimented with muting the vibes while comping quarter notes like a guitarist. It was an interesting sound. 

1. I'll remember April
2. I can't get started. 
3. I can't give you anything but love.
4. I could write a book.

​Moose the Mouch is still under construction. 

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. 

​

• 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