Check out Ben’s YouTube Channel for more educational videos. See him perform his multi-percussion work “Blade” here.
In this video Dr. Benjamin Finley discusses key technical issues in Tony Cirone’s “Portraits in Rhythm”, Etude #6. Ben, Director of Percussion Studies at East Central University in Oklahoma, prepared this instructional video for students who plan to audition for Round 1 of the 2010-11 OMEA All-State Auditions.
What are your thoughts about the pedagogical ideas Ben presents? When playing rolls do you use an open 3 stroke roll or more of closed roll? How do you make different kinds of sounds as it relates to articulation? (roof top accents/regular accents/tenuto markings etc…) Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Originally posted on DrumChattr on September 1, 2010 by tom Burritt.
“Connecting Your Head and Your Hands” by Lee Vinson
This article addresses the connection between technical practice and mental visualization in preparing excerpts for an audition.
I approach audition excerpts in two different ways. I first address an excerpt from a purely technical point of view. I try to tackle any technical problems independently from the excerpt by creating simple exercises that apply directly to the issues presented in the music. Secondly, I want to be mentally prepared to perform an excerpt. I do this through a variety of visualization techniques which we will discuss below. (more…)
I have been working diligently this summer on improving myself as a marimbist. As I’ve mentioned before, there are some things that I feel are very poor about my playing, mostly technical. I have figured out where I made my mistake, how to fix it now, and what this means for any of you as readers. I will be asking for some feedback throughout this blog. (more…)
Today we talk about a “guiding principle” (and go Yoda on you..) that can help you make the right decisions when it comes to general interpretation in musical performance. Name the famous xylo excerpt in the background… and as always please leave comments!
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 24, 2010 by Tom Burritt.
Today we sit down with Nancy Zeltsman! Marimbist, Educator, and New Music for Marimba Rock Star, we talk about marimba history in the making this summer at the Zeltsman Marimba Festival. Lurkers (people who watch and dont leave comments) you better come out for this one! Please, leave a comment and answer Nancys question of the episode. Please consider contributing to this important need in our repertoire. You can by visiting: Zeltsman New Music
Originally posted on DrumChattr on August 10, 2010 by Tom Burritt.
