Top 10 Four Mallet Marimba Solos For First Performance!

[@gracibuxton6291]

5:49: *says how your hands are never gonna be "up here and down here"* 5:57: *a clip where his hands are up there and down there*

[@friend_or_foe1127]

grace b I saw that 😂

[@chrisbarrick]

yeah, for real haha

[@StephlyProjectile]

Yellow After The Rain was my first solo, its a great starting solo. helps get rolls, individual mallet movement, fast sixteenths, and block chords.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching today's TOP 10 video! I realise I may have confused some people with the use of the term “beginner”! Apologies for that! What I meant was people looking for their first four mallet solo as a performance piece, not their first ever attempt at playing a four mallet solo while still being new to the technique. I've now changed the video title to reflect that 😁 #TheStudioFamily

[@zingiestbug4251]

Adam Tan I’m legit going to buy all 10 lmfao

[@filipecalixto6569]

I understand where you're coming from, however I would still disagree. These solo's are, mostly, on the "chill" side. No Cangelosy or Pius Cheung on the list. No crazy speed or arm stretching intervals. However speed isn't everything in technique, and technique isn't everything in difficulty. I don't know a lot of pieces in this list but most of the ones I knew (except for the "rain twins" (I legit laughed my ass off at that) which are a nice piece to be your 1st "complicated" marimba solo) are in no way adequate for a beginner. It doesn't matter how slow you play ney rosauro's prelude, it is in no way a place to start your 4 mallets journey. A beginner solo isn't just a technically accessible one. It should be designed for a beginner, by being short, easy to listen to, while helping technique development. One example that comes to mind is Bart Quartier's solo book. I can't tell you how many people I know whose 1st solo was "From the Cradle" (the book's 1st solo). In my opinion is the perfect beginner solo, it's audition ready while introducing you to most of the basic marimba technique in the context of a piece and not in a study. Honestly I would name your list more of a "Top 10 solo's for players who are tired of beginner solo's and want a taste of more advanced music" or "Easy solos for advanced players who have no time to prepare an audition".

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Filipe Calixto You are so right man. I couldn’t figure out what the name should be called but you nailed it! Thank you for letting me know in a nice way :)

[@filipecalixto6569]

Adam Tan no worries. And keep up the good work!

[@mistererq1819]

Adam Tan thank you for this! I still think that 1 or 2 of these solos are a bit too hard for beginning marimbists, but atleast now people should really understand your true idea behind this video. And because of your great attitude, im thinking about becoming a sponsor for this channel :))

[@zacharywilliams2]

I've been learning Ghost Garden as my first piece. I haven't really had the chance to practice it lately, but i think its fantastic as a first piece because it isn't too technically difficult but it sounds interesting enough to please an audience.

[@justnoahherehello]

Ghost Garden is really good. Helps with permutations, sounds nice to listen to, and is fun to learn and play.

[@WarriorL10811]

About Ivan Trevino in my school we played one of his percussion ensambles when I was in 7th grade it was called "shared space" we played it for a percussion bash.

[@luisn642]

Yellow after the rain is probably what Fur Eleis is for marimba

[@mr.misterman3083]

I think that Ghost Garden is a pretty good beginner piece. The beginning is quite easy with the 1-3-2-4 pattern and the middle is an easy melody that sounds pretty. There’s even a choral section for working on rolls! P.S. I’m glad Strive to be Happy is on this list! It’s my new favorite piece!

[@tjppercussion]

Hearing Ivan play his own pieces live is always a slap in the face. He takes the recorded pieces everyone has watched (Strive, Anthem) and puts an entirely new twist to it. Also, when he performed Strive at the LHS Summer Seminar back in June (2018), Mike Burritt read the source poem over Ivan's playing. Absolute beauty.

[@mrbutterfluff1881]

It's my first year being in percussion ensemble and it's suuuuuper fun. For my winter season I played prelude no 1 as an audition piece :)

[@redravenrages6321]

Yipee!

[@ezaiahcisneros5011]

I think Ghost Garden was a good piece, I played it for my 7th grade year and I loved it.

[@irein4118]

i actually played merlin in my 4th grade class, i would prove but my moms friends dog ate my phone so the video is gone.

[@xCentauri]

I think a lot of these are really good challenging pieces that if a beginner seeks out and puts definite time as well as some instruction from their music teacher, would benefit, I know a lot of percussionists who’ve played some of these as sophomores and freshman in high school

[@Tones_24]

Man one of my classmates played memories of the seashore for applied showcase at my college and man it was amazing!

[@justtraininsanity8463]

Oh yes, I saw “Strive to be happy”. That is and probably always will be my favorite marimba solo! Also there was one solo that wasn’t mention in the video that I’m surprised wasn’t in there which was “Lost Mountain Sunrise” which is written for 4.6 octave marimba

[@autumnbailey3965]

I’m playing rain dance for my solo and ensemble piece! 🙂

[@ShockzG5]

I’m between that and ghost garden. How was it for you?

[@sethkeenan594]

Keep up the good work, I always wait all week for the videos.

[@michiel8936]

the marimba flamenca is a very cool song for beginners as well!

[@gamingbud8946]

I’m doing yellow after the rain right now for solo and ensemble. I’m excited!

[@marinasimmons3553]

Great video Adam! Funny you mention Bach...I've never played Bach on marimba but have been thinking about a lot lately....definitely will now!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Marina Simmons Thank you Marina! Yes Bach on marimba is just the greatest 😍

[@gkmcelhaney]

Thank you! Great video as always.

[@MarimbaMaurice]

"The Camino" is a great one aswell

[@StephlyProjectile]

my school keeps a folder of four mallet marimba solos, all organized in difficulty. except memories of the sea shore is in the hardest folder lil

[@johnpeters2129]

I'm doing Green Run right now for my freshman solo and ensemble and it had been a really good first 4 mallet solo so far.

[@Carlos-fz7mf]

These 4 mallet pieces for beginners? Maybe if they played 3 or 4 pieces prior to playing any of these. I really think there are other pieces that should have been explored. Like Mark Fords book. Or any other beginning four mallet books. But I do see where you’re coming from! I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything, just trying to put my two cents in. Keep it up!!!

[@Carlos-fz7mf]

Also, some of these are played on senior recitals or jr recitals for undergrad students. Maybe you can make a separate video that shows what you would give your own students that are beginning 4 mallet players? (I tend to give my beginners solos that focus on one certain stroke type, double verticals because they are the easiest to learn imo). Again, this is my opinion, I do see where you’re coming from. Love your videos!!!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

No I agree man! I was aiming more for pieces that have long term appeal as performance pieces, and beginners as in “beginners in performing with four mallets”. I would say these pieces are doable after someone has done quite a few method book exercises/exercise like pieces :)

[@Alex-sz6te]

The ney Rosauro prelude was the first solo I ever performed. I did a lot of exercise pieces but I wouldn’t perform them to other people except my teacher.

[@myotiswii]

I practiced the vibraphone part of 'cool' for my next orchestra audition. I also have 'furioso and walz' on marimba learned, but it only uses 2-3 mallets and my 2 mallet techique really isn't impressive and apart from a few bars it's really easy. I guess I will do one of these.

[@BrianHolyoak]

What about "Moon Chasers" by Mark Ford?

[@sinice422]

If you ever do a four mallet solos for advanced players. You should definitely include Insomnia by Ivan Trevino. A lot of triple laterals

[@lizguzman5962]

Great pieces, but I teach "beginners" all day long at a performing arts school. I could not assign 3/4 of this list. Nor would it be wise from a technique and musicality building standpoint. If by "beginners" you mean an older student with extensive background in music reading, I could see that. But a student new to percussion/music, not so much.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Liz Guzman Absolutely! I mean like beginners who have a strong knowledge in music already but are new to four mallet technique and want something they can perform in addition to their regular exercises :) apologies for the confusion!

[@austinshoupe1506]

Still think a lot of this list is beyond anyone fitting the term "beginner." Maybe year 3 or 4 of four mallet instruction if they already have a background (so high school junior or senior maybe).

[@xCentauri]

Austin Shoupe nah, if anything high school freshman that have had some sort of dabble in 4 mallet technique in middle/intermediate school, mainly because they won’t have any time constraints and can practice one solo throughout a year

[@austinshoupe1506]

xCentauri every school system has it's own quirks and priorities, which is why I specified years of study and gave an example of year. I'm not sure how your attempt to correct me contributes meaningfully to this conversation.

[@kylechad529]

I think for someone to learn to play double mallets, they should already know how to how single mallet and can read music properly.

[@JDD_Music_Press]

Hi, Adam! Suggestion: Top 10 marimba concertos. Many students are told to choose a concerto when they get into College/University to have for a competition(local or otherwise). I’d like to hear your picks. This doesn’t have to be limited to marimba. Or perhaps you could have some “non-marimba honorable mentions”. -Cheers!

[@KingstonCzajkowski]

My picks, in no particular order: Creston, Ewazen, both of Abe's, Hovhaness (originally for xylophone), Burritt, Sejourné, Rosauro, Maslanka, and Helble's. I haven't listened all the way through all of them, but I know most of those very well. I know Zivkovic, Cheung, Masson, and a couple other big names have written concerti but haven't gotten to them yet.

[@zoeko5654]

definitely going to try and learn strive to be happy. love ivan’s pieces he actually wrote one for my schools percussion ensemble this year:)

[@stevenhartley6735]

Great video, keep up the quality content!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching Steven!

[@jenna4682]

Thanks for the great video it was very informational!

[@nicolestrother4145]

One suggestion as a beginner/intermediate Marimba solo is “First Impressions” by Andrew Patzig. But it requires a 5 octave. I played it in the beginning of my career with four mallets and modified it for 4.3 octave.

[@davidg1564]

Love the vids and your music, and when will you release your next solo ?

[@carterpadrick6029]

How do you feel about the piece Choro Bachiano by Ney Rosauro? I'm learning it for college auditions and I was just wondering how hard you think it is and what you think in general.

[@cynthiamugeni4255]

can you do top ten solos w/ strong emotion

[@george9065]

I played Virginia Tate my high school freshman year it's so fun

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Yes it’s a good piece!!

[@marimbaninja4304]

I think that the peaces you recommend in the Video are very good and they work perfectly for me (I'll play sea Refractions soon)but I can understand why some people are disagreeing.If the Marimba ist your first instrument you learn or you are a percussionist who wants to learn it then its possible that you cant even read scores.Marimba is my third Instrument i Play clarinet and piano so im also used to the coordination with two hands.But for people who are learning Marimba AS a first instrument it might be a little hard. Anyway great Video as always. Lets hit 10k Your Marimbaninja

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Daniel'sTea I absolutely agree man, and I think it is a case of different speeds of learning for different people :) my bad for the confusing title!

[@marisafranklin4097]

Sea refractions was my first price playing 4 mallets and it was AWESOME! I remember feeling like the coolest 7th Fraser around when I played it

[@mondousage]

Funny, my first 4 mallet marimba solo was Rain Dance and my second was Yellow After the Rain. 3rd was Ghost Garden because it's pretty :).

[@chickenugget814]

I have to play Yellow After the Rain for my Area Audition tommorow. Kinda dying inside but I might do ok

[@ShadfishX]

Thanks for this list, Adam! I’ve heard of and played some of these, but thanks to this list I know what’s next for me to play. :) I also have another recommendation of beginner works. The “Out of the Woodwork” series by Chad Floyd are fantastic beginner pieces!! It’s a series of 4 solos, each under 2 minutes and provides a variety of playing (Room for phrasing too). For 4 mallets of course haha.

[@ilovemysplitends5917]

hi Adam i have been watching you since i started percussion and now i am playing marimba for competitive marching band. i have a new director who is kind of rewiring our mallet technique for both 2 and 4 mallet and my wrists and forearms are in horrible pain can you recommend some stretches and some exercises to do to prevent the pain and what to do to ease the pain

[@adrianistired8461]

I played birchbrook by Mark Ford as my 1st 4mallet piece because my upperclassmen told me not to take either of the rain twins so i ended up picking Birchbrook for a competition and somehow made it to state

[@ChromVsChrom]

Do you think you could do a review on percussion backpacks? Like the VicPack or DDrum. I was looking into it because I tech for a couple ensembles so I need to travel quite a bit but not quite sure which one I should go for. Also looking into the Tuxedo mallet bag for just my mallets. Thanks!

[@reddragon794]

Hey Adam! I hope you could make a video on your top XYLOPHONE solos.

[@skiph8957]

Why marimba and vibes are so much better

[@joe-dc1fe]

What about firefly by mitchell peters

[@noahwilliams9747]

I’m literally watching the video and I just got done learning Land and my friend also is doing the 4th Rotations and I just thought it was pretty funny that we’re both playing Adam’s honourable mentions

[@cjohnalex]

Adam what do you recommend for a solo for an 8th grader who has played gitano?

[@marisafranklin4097]

Alex Cisneros omg I’m literally in the same boat as you. 8 pages pages of DEATH!🤣. It also didn’t help that no one in my school has ever played the price so I have no help.

[@swfan1004]

I did the Musser Opa. 6 No. 9 my junior year in High School (and took it to State S&E), and in my opinion, I'd slow it WAY down than what the original tempo is.

[@caseythompson9603]

What do you think of Marimba Dances by Ross Edwards? I know it's a really long piece but the piece itself isn't super hard to play.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Alexander Thompson Marimba Dances is good! I tried to avoid naming ones from previous videos haha but yes you are spot on

[@tanner1548]

Hey Adam! Bit late here, but just in case people are watching this in the future, do you have a favorite source/sourcebook for Bach music for marimba? (Or perhaps a list of such sourcebooks?)

[@wheresbicki]

Not really sure what the criticisms are about. This seems to be a solid list. Yellow after the rain was my very first piece as a beginner. I still love playing Virginia Tate. Memories of the seashore is also a good beginner 4 mallet piece as well. I’d also suggest The Offering by Michael Burritt.

[@ianschmidt1166]

Hey Adam, I trying to find a versatile set of marimba mallets that are a but heavier than 50-50 but I'm having trouble, do you have any recommendations? What I'm looking for are birch handles, slightly heavy, mono tonal. I would also really like all that mallets to look the same but that's not a deal breaker. Could you help me out?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ian Schmidt Hey man! Maybe you can try the Keiko Abe series! Looks the same and has a birch option :)

[@ianschmidt1166]

Adam Tan yea I'm definitely thinking about those have you tried the birch models? I know you reviewed the rattan models and praised them highly but have you tried the birch? Also the birch models are more expensive than the rattan models🤔🤔

[@mikeyblumberg6396]

If I have played both of the “Rain Twins” and A Cricket Sang, do you think I could play the 2nd marimba part of the Catching Shadows marimba duo?

[@tylergash3175]

I played cricket and then went straight into catching shadows duet. It’s very doable

[@m.griffin1821]

Soooo....looking for opinions here on the difficulty of a four mallet marimba solo. To be specific, Viscosity by Casey Cangelosi. How difficult would you say this piece is? Could you name some other pieces you would group it with as far as similar level of difficulty?

[@jgoodygoods512]

Mastered all these on my first day. lol.

[@joeysmith04622]

Ok literally one hour ago I looked at how many subs you had and it said 9,996 subs and I was like oh my god yes you definitely deserve 10k now I’m checking again an I questioned everything because it was only 9,998

[@DrumUltimA]

Psh yeah velocities is easy (No it's not who says that?! What?!)

[@DrumUltimA]

Also I'm surprised to see Virginia Tate over Rhythm Song! I always thought Rhythm Song was easier, but I guess I don't know Virginia Tate as well as that one...

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Doug Perry Ahahaha it is easier! I prefer Virginia though cause it is less repetitive 🤣

[@start9976]

My first 4 mallet experience is home of the brave, it's not a solo, it's my marching band show (I'm 15) it's my first marimba piece ever and I definitely have some ok lateral strokes because of it, dont you just love 4 mallet runs at 210 bpm

[@braytongust]

"Its does require a 4.6 octave marimba because the bottom note is an F" 13:55

[@jacobhanekamp2534]

I dont know where you learned, but that is a 4.5

[@braytongust]

@@jacobhanekamp2534 yea, that's the point

[@crimsonstar1590]

Where is ghost garden

[@marinafucci6320]

And Generalife by Emmanuel Séjourné !

[@zanemeek9042]

Whoa! I didn't know you had answered my question. Thanks, Adam! I'll be sure to get copies of all of these so my students have access to some good pieces.

[@joeysmith04622]

I disagree I would say these are closer to intermediate solos and also some beginners probably can’t even do individual strokes with four mallet although a solo like kain should probably be in here I think mango bay could also be on this but it is pretty close to intermediate level but at one point you said that for one of the solos you need to be good at lateral strokes, but most beginners probably can’t even do lateral strokes and also strive to be happy shouldn’t be on it because of the octaves

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Joey 22 that’s true! I guess my meaning of beginner is flawed ahahaha. Sorry about that!

[@HomemTraca]

I think undertale Variations can be here to, I've never played it and I need a easy song, is it?

[@tanner1548]

Erm... I wouldn't say so. It gets pretty quick in parts, has a lot of range, and requires what I think are kinda...nonbeginner rhythms swapping between double verticals and independents. (I haven't played all of it. Waiting till I get a full 5-octave to learn the rest of it. But that's my impression so far.) Definitely the other things in this list are easier (though I haven't played all of those, either).

[@tristanseow2970]

Rhythm song Adam?

[@filippkarandeev139]

Tristan Seow it's not for beginners

[@alekosthecrow]

Wait rain dance and yellow after the rain are related that makes sense.

[@alekosthecrow]

Also the no. 1 spot is actually the first 4 mallet piece I ever played

[@vladimirmodorcea2311]

I'm surprised katamya didn't make the list, like, yea, it has some difficult parts, but it's not hard per se

[@deanmurray4776]

Awesome video!! BUT WHERE IS GHANAIA

[@Lucero-rd1cd]

Fry is also a really good solo :)

[@Diego-nv4bj]

Moon is gonna be my first solo

[@ChristobalStacks]

Ah yes time to play Ney Rosauro for my first performance

[@OMGitsEricE]

Fantasy No. 1 needs a 5 octave marimba, bottom note is a D. Also, Memories of the Seashore has 1 or 2 one handed rolls in the middle of the piece

[@kylewiggers2198]

I would’ve added the first movement of Gitano by Alice Gomez

[@tylergash3175]

Beginners can do laterals at 192?

[@Jackson-mn2wx]

Yellow after the rain is not an easy solo my friend just got that solo and he in new to four mallet like I am and he can barely play that song

[@xxsniperboyxx1625]

Yo it is me from today me Christian

[@NoiseyBoyyyy]

Are you mason tans cousin?

[@ultra9349]

Idk rain dance but yellow after the rain just needs a 4 octave

[@maxencedetraz4351]

Four rotation are difficult !!!

[@rizolada]

What about two mexican dances

[@skiph8957]

Frogs? Keiko Abe’s first solo? I’m pretty decent

[@mistererq1819]

This time I really have to disagree with you Adam. Many of these solos are WAY too hard for beginners. The level of hardness doesn't only come from technique, but also from knowing your instrument (check out method of movement for more info). I do agree that your first solo should contain some hard element, BUT i really think that learning prelude 1 from Rosauro as your first solo is NOT A GOOD IDEA! Also, many of these solos, played with bad technique could lead a beginner to really bad injuries. Of course, some of these solos are complitely suitable for beginners, but you should be very careful when you recommend some of the harder solos from this list.

[@mistererq1819]

I really like your content and I have nothing against you. I just think that this matter should be discussed. (also congrats for being so close to 10 000)

[@mistererq1819]

Also including Bach as 1 was a really good choise :))

[@lizguzman5962]

I agree. I love everything about this channel. I think many students try to play solos that are too technically and musically above their current level. I'm all for challenging students but labeling these pieces "beginning" is misleading. I'm glad that we can have this discussion!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Agree with both of you! I guess my term beginner is probably a bit too loose hahahha. Thank you for letting me know!

[@josiahm9090]

7,5,4,1

[@filippkarandeev139]

I think there should be Bach's sarabande and Gigue from 3rd cello Suite

[@林駿杰-x4l]

Spanish dance

[@jannisdemmig2201]

I also don't think that these solos are for beginners in 4 mallet technique... I practice Prélude No1 by Ney Rosauro right now and I have played with 4 mallets for 4 years now and the piece is not that difficult, but also easy...

[@friend_or_foe1127]

When you hear the drum beat and thinks it the porn hub community intro 😂

[@w.tibbsclemens636]

Most of these are intermediate pieces

[@filipecalixto6569]

Define beginner.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Filipe Calixto haha my biggest mistake in this video 😅😅😅

[@w.tibbsclemens636]

Who the F calls velocities easy?

[@brendanmchugh7807]

these are not for fucking beginners

[@largearj9749]

The finger snaps and gesticulations are WAY too distracting!

[@NoEnemiesHere]

I disagree with you whole heartedly. You have a responsibility to your 10000 subscribers not to state your opinion which is completely unfounded on the basis of your “opinion. “ just because it is your opinion does not absolve you of your disservice you are doing to young performers. Most of these pieces are not beginner pieces. Please stop! I have studied with people who you would consider legends in the field. Today I was with one such person, Gordon Stout and we were watching your video and were appalled at the inexperience you showed in your top 10! Please reflect because young minds are watching you.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

No Enemies Here Thank you for your comment! While I agree with you that my beginner definition is a bit flawed, I disagree with the idea that I am doing a “disservice” - nowhere do I say that I am the one and only resource people can use to pick pieces. If I can’t have an opinion then there isn’t really much point in me making a video, you can just read a repertoire list instead?

[@NoEnemiesHere]

Adam Tan be careful what you say as a teacher or mentor. Karma is a bitch!

[@NoEnemiesHere]

Adam Tan , I don’t mean any disrespect but please , I have many years on you and there is one thing you can’t have on age is wisdom and experience. Please relflect! When it comes to beginners tread carefully.

[@ItsNotAXylophone]

No Enemies Here Karma is a B_____ ?!? There is nothing about this response nor the preceding comment that is meant to inspire thoughtful and insightful dialogue. The above mentioned phrase is a thinly veiled threat and has no place in a discussion among someone as professional, as you claim to be. For the record I don’t necessarily agree with The entirety of Adam’s list. But to use his list as a platform to name drop, throw down your pretentious viewpoint, then disguise it as concern for beginners delicate sensibilities is bad form man.

[@NoEnemiesHere]

Yup, you are right! That was bad form. I don't claim to be anything, as you state and the name drop well, I don't know what to tell you except that we watched Adam's video and I said, someone must speak out on this matter. Now this is not an attack on Adam but on WHAT Adam said. Yes the karma thing was in bad form. Now disguising my intentions and to use his list to name drop, as you say, well, I. think you are assuming too much. My intention is to let Adam know that he has 10000 people watching him and this is not the first time Adam states his opinion and then apologizes afterwards for things he said. Stating an opinion is one thing but a misinformed and detrimental one must be addressed. In my opinion....as a pedagog, I state something only after I have had ample experience in the matter. Do I make mistakes? Of course I do, but not to the detriment of the beginner. In this I have a solid foundation and a moral obligation not to misinform a young mind who is seeking advice. Adam has a responsibility because of the large number of people watching him. Name dropping , well if I were to give you names of people I have spoken with on this matter who think Adam is incorrect in assessment of what a beginner is, you would just call me out on the issue of 'name dropping' and disregard the matter at hand. Yes I know you stated that you disagreed on his list but please let us address the matter at hand. Now admitting thrice that my statement 'karma is a bitch' was wrong do you think you can now discuss what the real issue is.

[@adamvan3663]

You should do a review of those pre made stick bundles for middle schools, lol