Blubee - Vibraphone Solo

According to the notes on my original manuscript, I wrote this in July of 1984 which is shortly after I completed my Master's of Music. It is a simple ballad that I usual play with a slow motor. The improvisation is optional. I'm not sure what the significance of the name is. I guess it made sense when I wrote it.

You can listen to my recorded version to get an idea of the tune. If you get a chance to play the piece yourself, please add a comment or send me an email. I'd love to hear about it.

This music is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial United States license. See this post for more license information.

Download Bluebee sheet music

April Blues

I wrote this during my first year of teaching.  It was a rough year since I followed a guy who was extremely popular with all of the students and parents.  Being fresh out of college and not having a clue didn't help.  By this time, I had decided to go to grad school and wasn't sure band directing was what I thought it would be.  The tune is just a simple riff on a B-flat blues that I still enjoy playing.

Again, I am still learning the manuscript software.  I used the lead sheet template and ended up with no clef, key signature or time signature on the 2nd and 3rd lines.  The key should be B-flat throughout.

I recorded a short version that you can download and listen to.  The recording will confirm my amateur status, so be kind in your comments.  I'm working on embedding the music in the blog, but I have to work around Blogger's limitations. See the link at the bottom of the post.

If you get a chance to play it, please add a comment or send me an email.  I'd love to hear about it.

This music is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial United States license.  See this post for more license information.

UPDATE: Music track is now embedded. You can listen without downloading.



Download April Blues sheet music

First Piece - the not so dark knight

Today, I am releasing the first piece of music via this blog.  It is a short percussion ensemble piece called Ode To Batman.  The piece uses bells, vibraphone, marimba and drumset.  While in grad school at Wichita State, I organized a percussion ensemble to play some pieces, mostly for entertainment.  The group was called Marimba, Toms and Vibes (yes, MTV).  We performed at recital hours and actually did a couple of gigs on campus at Dr. J. C. Combs' request.  At the time that I wrote this, I was listening to some music that involved different rhythmic interplay.  The Talkin Heads' Speaking In Tongues and Tom Tom Club's Close To The Bone are couple of albums that come to mind.  This is a simple piece that has some of that same rhythmic device going on.  The ensemble starts slow and funky and suddenly moves to double time.  The double time section reminds me of the old 1960's Batman TV show, thus the name.

Please be patient with the manuscript.  I am learning to use the software and have not worked out all of the kinks.  The drumset line is blank because I cannot get the software to let me enter anything on that line of the score.  However, the drums should be playing throughout!  The vibe solo should cover as many measures as needed.

This music is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Comercial United States license.  See this post for more license information.

Download Ode To Batman