 [729]Re:4 Mallets (307 reads) |
2001-03-01 04:40:41 |
You're right, the Stevens text is quite challenging, especially for a self-taught student. I'll probably get flamed for heresy on this board, but let me ask: are you taking up (or, renewing your interest in ) four-mallet playing with the idea of playing professionally, or only for your own enjoyment (and I'm not saying that one is more important than the other)? If you want to work towards learning contemporary four-mallet marimba literature, you'll probably want to take the time to learn Leigh's grip (and you'll probably want to hook up with a teacher, at least to start with, to make sure you're doing it right and avoid learning bad habits!). Much (but not all!!!) of the contemporary literature really requires the Stevens grip specifically. If you're simply learning for your own enjoyment, or if you're looking to play jazz, or perhaps percussion parts in an orchestra (or basically anything besides the classical marimba literature), you might do better to pursue the Burton grip. It's much more intuitive than the Stevens/Musser grip is, and it's easier (or at least, faster) with the Burton grip to get to the stage where you can actually perform on the instrument. (And there is much literature for the marimba which doesn't require the Stevens technique specifically.) Or, you can start with the Burton grip, and change over to the Stevens grip later on - just because you elect to use one grip to start, doesn't mean that you have to stay with that grip forever. Or you could eventually learn both...it all depends on what you want to do with these four-mallet studies. Just tossing out some opinions and ideas... JW http://www.malletjazz.com Remote Host: |
 [726]4 Mallets <Andy> |
2001-02-28 23:05:49 |
 [727]Re:4 Mallets <James Walker> |
2001-03-01 00:05:05 |
 [728]4 Mallets <Andy> |
2001-03-01 01:04:33 |
| [729]Re:4 Mallets <James Walker> |
2001-03-01 04:40:41 |
| [906]Re:Re:4 Mallets <Angel> |
2001-04-28 10:25:11 |
| [734]Re:4 Mallets <Jennifer> |
2001-03-05 15:29:15 |