Q&A #5: How To Practice WITHOUT A Marimba?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you SO MUCH for 5,000 SUBSCRIBERS (almost 5.5K now!) - in this episode I answer more of YOUR questions from the comments below! If you want to SKIP AHEAD TO ANY QUESTIONS IN THIS VIDEO (spoiler alert!) all the timestamps are in the description above! And as always if you have any more questions feel free to leave them down below 😁 #TheStudioFamily

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Aw thank you for watching man, glad to help in any way I can :)

[@johngalvan2346]

Can you please review the vic firth virtuoso series

[@Abby-wj5je]

In high-school one girl took a cardboard box and drew out a marimba on a cardboard box so she could learn her part. She would play and hum it

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Aww that is such a good idea! I have heard of people who do that but I didn't think it was actually that common. Wish I could make a marimba out of a box that neatly...

[@michaelelliott4224]

That is what most educators told me. It's pretty common to do.

[@Parkerplaysperc]

I would love to see a video on how to do regular maintenence on your marimba. And how often you should do it. How to properly clean the bars and resonators etc.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That's a good idea! I should also be more routine with my maintenance hahaha, the most I do is cover it and vacuum it sometimes...

[@wantnot9205]

For vibraphone mallets, I suggest Malletech Ed Smiths. I've been using them for a while now but I believe they have been my favorite vibe mallets that I have used so far 😀

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ohhhhh thank you for the suggestion!!!

[@HypeTheClean]

Adam, HUGE thank you for the shout out! Congrats on 5k subs, very much deserved! Here’s to the next 5k!!!👍🏽👍🏽💪🏽💪🏽🔥🔥

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Swiss Cheese & Beats Thanks for making such fantastic content! You deserve it 😁

[@thewethand390]

I play xylophone in pit percussion for marching band and this helps allot because chromatic instruments are EXPENSIVE

[@AdamTanPercussion]

They certainly are! There's always a way though, don't worry :)

[@marinasimmons3553]

I enjoyed this video Adam, thank you!! I appreciate you sharing the story of your most inspirational teacher. It brought a smile to my face and made me think of my own. :) It is a shame Australia doesn't really have a marching program. I always had so much fun the years I got to do it. Proud of you for what is now 5.5k subs! Wouldn't it be great if it was double that next year! Make sure to breathe with all the projects you have lined up for November and I am bummed to not be going to PASIC this year but having my own marimba in trade is totally worth it!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Marina Simmons Thank you again for watching Marina! Good teachers leave unforgettable learning experiences 😁 I wish I got to do marching.... Sounds so fun! And thank you for being one of the 5.5k, you are awesome and I'm so happy you have your own marimba now!

[@krishshahidadpury7437]

Woah! I didn’t know that u know Danny he’s like my percussion directors best friend

[@AdamTanPercussion]

How could I not, he's one of the best percussion youtubers in the game right now 😁

[@DrumLuv23]

Thanks for the reference to Swiss Cheese Beats. I'm looking to purchase a 5 octave for my studio, but I have a strong marching background. I'm also looking to start a channel next year, so these are great resources!

[@michaelelliott4224]

How about purchasing a malletKat or malletstation? Are those any good practicing on? They're portable and could played almost anywhere.

[@Andy251153]

Yeah I don't really get why people would ask about marching gear. Maybe the mallets but even then, there more for ensemble use anyway.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

PhazonArcanine4 Hahaha I wish I knew more about it...

[@samgatti9317]

Thanks for the video! One thing I've been having trouble with though is hand independence, which is unfortunately a common skill needed for playing marimba. Could you do a video on how to work through the "pat your head, rub your tummy" issue?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That's a good question! I'll definitely look into it, although I think if you just practice any independent sections of music slooowwwllly you will be able to do it from muscle memory alone!

[@samgatti9317]

Yeah, that's been my strategy so far, I'm just wondering if there's more efficient ways to go about it.

[@estee22]

Do you have any tips on how to build chops for beginners? I have mallets and a drum pad accessible at home, is there anyway I can practice with these??

[@bek6877]

Also, xylosynth is a very good investment for any serious marimba player! It will be useful in so many ways, it's a bit pricey but cheaper and more compact, and worth saving for!! :-) I have one and I am in love with it, and the 5 octave ranges from 4000-5000 :-) you can make it sound like anything you want, so marimba? You got it. Vibraphone with pedal? Yes! Boom whackers?? Yes, even boom whackers.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ohhhh I didn’t know you could get a five octave one! Unfortunately they are super expensive over here...

[@AdamTanPercussion]

And LOL BOOMWHACKER SOUND NICE

[@bek6877]

Adam Tan OH rip. Yeah, shipping and customs are so extreme because of wood and things like that

[@hedoesmusic]

What are some recommendations to someone totally new to percussion? I just recently joined band (very late in the game) and have fallen in love with marimba, but because I only have three semesters left in high school, it'll be really tough for me to be competitive enough to get into a performance ensemble in college. Any tips for quickly learning marimba (especially four-mallet technique)?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That is really fast man! Start by securing the technique first - use method books like Stevens Method of Movement, really focus on getting the technique and flexibility as right as you can and then learn some basic four mallet pieces like Rain Dance/Yellow After The Rain SLOWLY... and see how you go! Three semesters is quick but it can be done, I learned most of my four mallet skill properly in about 15 months!

[@hedoesmusic]

Adam Tan Thanks so much for the recommendation! I'm also considering one on one lessons with the percussion instructor who works at my school; she has a degree and always helps out with our marching band's front ensemble. Might that expedite the process slightly?

[@_thefuzzyewok_9331]

I am working on four mallets, what would you suggest for a daily practice and how long?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

_TheFuzzyEwok _ That's awesome man, I would recommend doing as much lateral and double vertical exercises as you can, both as warm up and technical exercises! I have a couple of #techniquetalk episodes just for this purpose on my channel!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

@Nick does Quad drumming just have to do them one by one slowly, start with an easy interval like a 5th and then go down to a 2nd step by step. Then do the same but going up to octave. And just keep doing that at increasing speeds and if you're rolling along the finger it will work itself out 😁

[@isabellaeasow9614]

Hello, I just started playing bells and snare drum for a year in band. This year we were supposed to learn timpani and marimba in class but because of the pandemic I cannot go to school to learn. I dont know how to play piano but I can play bells. Should I buy a keyboard or something to try and learn how to play marimba. The question is how do I learn to play the marimba if I dont know how to play marimba and dont have one

[@michaelelliott4224]

What do you think about merimba mats?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

They can work in a pinch! I used to use one when I was touring that could be laid out on a bed :)

[@leahdarkroom]

Hi Adam, really love your stuff! I was wondering how long it takes to learn the marimba/how long it took you/what level you are at after a certain amount of time. Thanks!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks man! It took me a few years to get the technique good, but I wasn't in a school that was really well known for percussion or anything - 5 years in high school before I could play four mallets properly, and now it's been over 10 years since I started. It differs from person to person though, and some people have different styles of teacher that can affect your learning rate :)

[@AsuraCraft]

First marimba here for tarpon springs HS 😤🤙🏼

[@danielkuhn4360]

Hey everyone, Ive been playing percussion for around 5 months, and I was wondering around how good I should be? For reference I can play stuff like the rain twins by ear(can't find music)

[@siento_diegopiedra]

What is a practice marimba or practice match ?

[@matthewmcconnell3442]

Damn, when you put all the things you're doing as text on the screen makes you really realise the hell Adam has put himself through xD but he obviously loves what hes doing

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Matthew Mcconnell hahahahaha this is true... Thanks for noticing me 😄

[@alskyfajardo7361]

Mode 5.0 Octv. Marimba($5000ish) vs. Any 5.0 Oct. Practice Marimba(also $5000ish). P.S: I still enjoy your videos and watch them multiple times. -Sky

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I've heard a lot about mode marimbas! Maybe I'll get to see one at PASIC hahaha :) Thank you so much man, you are the best!

[@kaitlynhunter666]

Ohmahgod swiss cheese beats is my director here is texas 😂😂😂😂 crazy to think of your director as a youtuber!!

[@thepuppetboy87]

I use GarageBand to practice without a marimba

[@MarimbaMaurice]

So now: "How to practice marimba without a piano?" :D

[@MarimbaMaurice]

Didn't expect to find a channel talking about marimbas. Great find :)

[@bek6877]

no WGI :'-( rip

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Sorryyyyyyyy

[@jonasstormoenroel3376]

do you have a job that don't include percussion

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Jonas Stormoen Roel I used to do a lot of event photography and videography, which kind of taught my skills in camera work! And also a lot of office work when I was younger... It all adds up haha

[@irmamolmros7613]

I only had my ten years of piano experience....

[@comic7919]

First two minutes and i am convinced i will never move to Australia, no offense.

[@sunkissedspiderbug5957]

i play on my bed at home lol

[@SaltineCracker]

Come on dude! Get the name right of the convention center. "Indianapolis Convention Center of Indianapolis, Indiana"

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Shawn Olson LOL too many Indiana's spoil the broth 😄

[@comic7919]

dont have room for a marimba or it is too expensive? get a piano...