Drumline and Jazz
Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 02:43AM This week I got to work with the front ensemble at Central High School in St. Joseph, MO. The kids were great and the music was a blast to play and teach (they are doing the music of Chuck Mangione). I got to spend a lot of time behind the xylophone since our xylophonist was out of town on a trip. I forgot how much I loved playing xylophone.
On the transcription side of things I finished 'Til Then by Bobby Hutcherson just in time to test it out at the coming jazz jam. This chart was way easier to transcribe than Kathy due to the progression following the cycle of fourths and the chord extensions being pretty standard. It helped that the opening melodic statement descends in a sequence as well.
The next tune I want to transcribe is Cal Tjader's Tanya (another chart named after a girl, sheesh). I find myself gravitating towards vibraphone heavy tunes. If only I had access to a vibraphone...