Ask an Expert: Archive

I have just started playing four-mallet marimba. My instructor wants me to focus on exercises to strengthen my technique. However, my practice time on exercises is not interesting and I'd rather be playing music. Is there another way to strengthen my technique?

Keeping your focus with basic exercises can be difficult. I feel the same way that you do: boring exercises makes for boring practice sessions! However, four-mallet marimba technique requires that you isolate the four basic strokes: Single Independent Strokes; Single Alternating Strokes; Double Vertical Strokes; and Double Lateral Strokes. These strokes are the "rudiments" of marimba performance regardless of which grip you use. How you focus on these strokes in practice is up to you. I would suggest two methods to help you stay on track in the practice room:

1. Avoid playing exercises in chromatic patterns. Instead, select basic chord progressions such as I-ii7-V7-I and apply your technical exercises to these progressions. Use a metronome and experiment with different chord voicings and progressions as you become stronger. This allows you to be creative while your technique becomes stronger.

2. Select short sections of your current solo (or etude) that focus on specific marimba technique strokes. Develop these sections into exercises for your technical warm up. This way you can warm up, focus on technique and learn your solo at the same time. Again, use a metronome and begin slowly!

Good luck!

Mark Ford
University of North Texas

Good question, and a common problem that many students struggle with. I will answer first by saying that diligent time spent working on exercises to hone your technique over an extended period is well worth it. (Such as Leigh Stevens book Method of Movement) The importance of establishing good technical habits as you learn any new technique can not be overemphasized. However, I do understand your frustration with the lack of musical stimulation. Here are a couple of suggestions:

1) Make up your own exercises based upon the specific technique you're working on. I have always found this to be a fun way to practice and a great way to promote creativity. You may even develop these ideas into short etudes or pieces.

2) Here some examples of solo collections that contain short works appropriate for beginning level 4 mallet playing.

Bart Quartier - Image
Mark Ford - Marimba: Technique Through Music
Gordon Stout - Noctures
Nebojsa Zivkovic - Funny Mallets Bk 1

Michael Burritt
Northwestern University