Dr. John Parks: Porgy and Bess Xylo Excerpt

Every percussionist works on the Porgy and Bess xylophone excerpt at some point. One of the top percussion educators in the world, John Parks IV, head of percussion studies at Florida State University, has a new take on how to lick that lick.

[@scottvelardo700]

I recall working up that excerpt many years ago, along with the rest of the students in our studio, for a band/orchestra audition. During preparatory coaching, we were informed that there were several ways we could appropriately work out the stickings, and that it’s a good idea to listen to the articulation of the orchestra and find stickings that simulate that articulation. So I listened to a few recordings and wound up with a sticking similar (if not exactly like) the one in this video. I was careful to be sure my double strokes were clean, and that the accents sounded balanced. In my audition evaluation, I was told I chose my sticking poorly - by the very instructor who told us to use the process I used. Going back to try a strict alternating sticking, I found it to be clumsy and even though I had a pretty good touch in those days, it was really hard to get the correct accents and only the correct accents that way. It just sounds more like the correct articulation when the left hand plays the unaccented notes. I may not have “won” the audition but I sill think I was right because my ears and my hands still both tell me so.

[@1020steve]

Hi John. I have heard your name from several mutual friends, but this is my first time seeing you play. I was a student of Bob McCormick at USF in the late 70s, but gave up my music career in 1983. And now, I'm back! Not planning to make a living, but just playing for fun. So, of course, I had to dig up the orchestral excerpts. 40 years later, Porgy is still a challenge... although, KZbin videos, like yours, are really making it easier to discover the many options players are using for this dreaded 14 measures. While watching your recording, I picked up one little sticking option I hadn't even considered! Thanks for the help!

[@gloriaxmuso]

This is so helpful! Thank you for making and sharing the video!!!

[@johnwparksiv]

You are so welcome! Hope you're doing well and great to see you on here!

[@paulmouradian8968]

great job John. I like the use of soft and hard mallet to delineate the left hand from the right hand. I was wondering if you could demonstrate porgy with alternating hands with right hand lead at slower tempos using the hard and soft stick. Paul

[@Dylonely42]

That’s truly amazing.

[@igorgomez1055]

That was amazing

[@airstrive6246]

Kind of amazed at the 6 thumbs down. Really great instruction and helpful ideas. As always- great video, John. Thank you.

[@johnwparksiv]

Thank you so much! I hadn't checked on this one in a long time, so sorry for the late "thank you." It's funny, the thumbs down come with the territory, I don't make these things to please trolls. LOL

[@Malletechofficial]

Nice Video!

[@Capcoor]

Dr. Parks, what’s the best way to get it up to tempo?

[@johnwparksiv]

Hey there! Typically with all things keyboard, I find a tempo where I can do everything I need to do correctly the very first time. That might be mind-numbingly slow, but it's kind of like flying an airplane and seeing all the gauges at once. Only for us the gauges aren't fuel, altitude, etc.--they are accuracy, time, body position, placement on the bars, consistency, context, steadiness, nuance, etc. You also have to realize that your brain memorizes everything, and if you start off trying to go too fast and learning things incorrectly, your body remembers those mistakes. So start really slow--and then set a goal for a month or two months--whatever--to be able every day to execute with all of those gauges in the "green" 15-20 times in a row at whatever tempo you can achieve that, no mistakes.. The next day move up the met by 2 clicks. Eventually you will get where you need to be! Hope that helps. Just be patient--you'll play this one your entire professional life, so take the time to input the information right the first time :)

[@whisleymadeira1935]

Great

[@johnwparksiv]

Thank you!

[@pete5668]

that orchestra is playing it at 138

[@johnwparksiv]

It's definitely quick--play that fast in an audition and you'll freak out the committee, lol.

[@donvasquez1791]

Is that rhythm from Africa?

[@stefanostefano2561]

Saluti da Music Academy Mariano Comense (Co) ITALY

[@qianfenggao6383]

omg seems difficult

[@johnwparksiv]

Nah, just keep it slow. I do the hands-separate thing with all the excerpts--just takes time. You'll get there!