The vibraphone has been associated with improvisation since the beginning of the twentieth century. There have been many documents designed to guide students in both technical studies on the vibraphone and improvisational skills. This document includes three instructional courses dedicated to the teaching of those skills. It uses only materials found on the website vibesworkshop.com, which is curated by Philadelphia-based vibist Tony Miceli. These courses are designed for undergraduate college students through advanced amateurs or professionals.
Many college curricula include insufficient vibraphone studies or do not include them at all. Currently, most college percussion studio professors specialize in areas other than vibraphone. Because of their lack of experience, professors supplement their teaching methods with materials that approach vibraphone in a subpar manner. Such materials instruct students to internalize and regurgitate bland materials instead of creating and developing their own ideas.
The vibesworkshop.com courses aim to assist those professors and students by replacing older instructional materials with a system that cultivates students' affinity with the vibraphone, allowing them to continue contributing to the online vibes community after participation in these courses.