So what's the deal with the quarter-tone marimba? I know Robert Van Sice is like the only person who has played on one. I think its pretty cool. the below post got me thinking of extended range marimbas above 5 octaves. Personally, I think quality of sound is lost if you get any bigger or smaller bars. Though quarter-tone seems like such a good idea.
I was wondering, how have composers (mainly James Wood) composed for a quarter-tone marimba? I think it would be interesting to see the quarter-tone marimba grow in popularity and possibly have more pieces written for it. I know James Wood wrote for quarter-tone marimba, as well as quarter-tone bells and vibes in his percussion ensemble pieces.
The idea is pretty smart, as I would think that you would have to have bars inbetween the bars of the marimba (making the thing so large it wouldn't fit on a stage!). But after seeing pics, its just another set of bars infront of the accidental bars.
So does anyone know if there has been anything else done by anybody, or suggestions on how to compose for quarter-tones?
Here are some pics from James Wood's site (check out the marimba, vibes, and bells. And yes, that is a young Bob Van Sice): http://www.choroi.demon.co.uk/sf.htm
~Behzad

Hi Behzad,

"So what's the deal with the quarter-tone marimba? I know Robert Van Sice is like the only person who has played on one. "

Re: Other musicians have played it too. Kuniko Kato, for instance, recorded James Wood's concerto "Venancio M'Bande talking..."

"I was wondering, how have composers (mainly James Wood) composed for a quarter-tone marimba? I think it would be interesting to see the quarter-tone marimba grow in popularity and possibly have more pieces written for it. I know James Wood wrote for quarter-tone marimba, as well as quarter-tone bells and vibes in his percussion ensemble pieces."

Re: I did work with James Wood when I studied at the Guildhall School, between 93 and 97 and worked with him on a new piece for percussion quartet at London National Theatre, ages ago. He makes some very exciting pieces, with brilliant instruments, yes, a very fine musician. I commissioned a piece for full 1/4 tone vibes (two sets of vibes in front of each other on a single frame, being the 2nd set a quarte tone higher than the 1st) to a student composer. Insteresting piece, but, kinda tricky to find the instrument 🙂

All best wishes, from rainy Lisbon,

Pedro