Hi there,
I know this is off the subject of marimba, but I am sure that there are some profficient vibe players here as well. Anyways, I am not very familiar with how writing for vibes is like. I was wondering if you have any tips. There is the deadline for the PAS composition competition, and I thought I woul dgive it a try. I wrote out some ideas for a great vibe piece, and I thought that if I clean it up and finish a few of the thoughts here and there, it might be worth sending to them. Anyways, what would be the most common range for the vibes? I am assuming 3 1/2 octave, C on top and F on bottom? And do people usually write with two staves or just one? I know I will have to split it up on parts of the piece that I am writing, but generally, would people resort to this? I know that the F below middle C is the lowest note, so it seems like it would be pointless. So I don't know what I am asking. Anyways, any tips would be appreciated. I am going to work hard and try to get it done by the next couple days. Though I have been practicing After-Syrnix II alot lately and can't stay away from my marimba! 🙂
~Behzad

Behzad,
The "common" range is 3 octaves, F to F. More and more people are getting larger 3.5 and 4.0 octave instruments. These are still fairly uncommon in most settings. My personal opinion is to write for a larger instrument...but I also have a 4.0 octave instrument of my own. One of the things I hate is not having literature for the range.
I don't think I've ever seen it written in bass clef, but maybe in two treble clefs for complicated stuff.
I like pedal indications, but they are not required.

Hope this helps,

Michael Wood