How many times have you stepped up to the marimba to work on a passage and it seems like you have never seen the music before even though you spent hours practicing the day before? Well guess what? This happens to everyone including me. It is frustrating and makes you want to throw your mallets across the room. If this sounds familiar, I want you to start incorporating block chords into your practice routine. (more…)
I am having a blast posting on this site. The response has been great and I appreciate all of your continued support. One of the goals I wanted to achieve was to share videos of great performances and this video is the perfect example. This video features Robert Chappell’s Open Window for tenor pan (performed by Liam Teague) and marimba (performed by Robert Chappell). This piece was awarded 1st place in the 2006 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. Originally for tenor pan and marimba, this performance also features bass and percussion/cajon. [Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the performers or I would add it]. It is a shame that this piece has only been viewed 1043 times since it was posted in 2009. Let’s do our part and share this piece and performance.
You can purchase the sheet music at Steve Weiss Music. Liam and Robert also have a CD featuring nine compositions for steelpan in solo, jazz, world, chamber, and steel band settings. It can also be purchased at Steve Weiss Music.
Every Instrument in this Room by Geoff Sheil is a new piece for vibraphone, marimba and electronic playback. This performance features Paul Keesling, vibraphone and Robby Bowen, marimba. For more information about Geoff and his music, visit his website.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCqoL1e-qOI
There are a lot of great resources for the modern percussionist (here’s where I say “I wish I had these when I grew up…”) and Marimbalogy.com is a great resource for information about marimba. The videos cover topics about grips, one-handed rolls, technique and more. Although Charlie doesn’t update his site very often (hopefully this post will inspire him to record something), his catalogue of videos is definitely worth watching.
One of the reasons I started PercussionEducation.com was to be a portal of percussion knowledge. I will be adding a links page to my site and I will definitely add places to go and check out information about teaching/learning percussion. Remember, there is not one way to teach anything. We have to be open and receptive of ideas. Go out and watch live performances, check out videos, read blogs and start to gather information to become the best musician you can.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we0XmIK2ra8
Today’s video features Setsuko Kutsuno performing Alejandro Vinao’s Khan Variations. This performance was part of the 2009 Southern California Marimba Competition.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nS_rk1118M
This video features Pius Cheung performing Astor Piazzolla’s Verano Porteno. Recently, Pius published this arrangement and it is available here.
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart