I'd like to introduce a new web site to everyone who is working on improving their improvisational skills: www.mp3playalong.com. It's a music-minus-one site that allows you to download MP3s with matching PDF music files. The categories include blues, rhythm changes, scales and modes, arpeggio studies, solos and riffs, jazz progressions, one chord rock jams, two chord funk grooves, odd time signatures, and more.

These aren't your typical MIDI files; they are real musicians that you play along with. You play along with such artists as Joe Ascione, Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver, myself, and coming soon, Mark Egan, J Geils and Gerry Beadion play-alongs.

Here is what you get: Two MP3's, the first is a full mix of all the artists performing the piece of your choice, the second is a mix minus the instrument of your choice. You also get a SAMPLE SOLO pdf file for C, Bb, and bass clef instruments, which includes scale possibilities and a lot of musical ideas for you to study. Also included in the PDF downloadable music file is a sample bass part, lead sheet, and sample drum ideas. We're so confident that you will enjoy this way of working on your improvisational skills that we're giving away one free download for each category.

So please log on to mp3playalong.com, and start downloading today. Turn it up and play-along with these great musicians. It is easy, high quality, and once again a free MP3/PDF is available for each category.

Enjoy, and keep in touch!

Guitarist Frank Vignola has made several recordings as a leader and as a sideman. His new CD, "Good Fellas," with Joey DeFrancesco & Joe Ascione is now available on Concord Records. Frank has also recorded with such music luminaries as Leon Redbone, Elvin Jones, Madonna, Jean Luc Ponty, Ringo Starr, Hank Jones, Tony Bennett, David Grisman, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and many more.