Emily's Dream from

[@otaku_whatever8467]

Just wow, absolutely amazing! I wish one day I can play with four mallets and sound that beautiful, wonderful work

[@markfordmusic]

Otaku - Thanks so much! Remember, just because you cannot play something today, does not mean you won’t play it in the future. Pace yourself, find a great teacher to guide you, practice every day and in time, good things will happen! Good luck!

[@kayleguardado8105]

OMG this solo is so beautiful i fell in love with it the first time i heard it and it’s been on REPEAT. i’m really hoping i can learn this for next years solo and ensemble !!!

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks so much Kayle! I'm glad you are enjoying Emily's Dream! It is one of my favorites too! You will be able to play this solo if you focus on one phrase at a time, learn the notes (in just 1 phrase - 4 or 8 measures), write in the stickings on the music, incorporate every detail on the music (articulation, tempo, dynamics, etc), develop exercises for the tricky spots, use a metronome, and record yourself often. Don't move to the 2nd phrase until you can play the first phrase with confidence and musicality. In time I will be listening to your recording of Emily's Dream! Work hard on your music and enjoy!

[@amyann.0]

Some advice, I am playing this this year as a sophomore in my schools top band and I love this solo so much! I agree with you, I’ve had it on repeat but it takes forever to learn and I mean FOREVER! So if you want to play this I recommend starting super early because I didn’t and now I have solo contest on Friday and I can’t play pages 4 and 5. It’s also practically impossible to learn at home because all I have is a 3 octave and it calls for a 5 octave. It’s not that this solo is to hard for me but I just need another month to learn it. I started learning it at the very end of December and today is February 16th. Give yourself about 4 months to learn it and you should be golden. Like I said, I LOVE this solo and I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to play it for my solo contest because the parts that I do know is so good. but all that being said,I hope you can play this next year and that you make a one at your contest!!😊😊

[@robmiller817]

I just cried! That was beautiful, just wow! I was lucky enough to meet him and watch him perform "Polaris" way back in 2000 . We sat in the front row and I damn near shit in amazement. He autographed the cd's I bought, Panama Steel and Polaris. He also had a album that was for marimba and tuba. I was broke so I got what I could. Still have the 2.

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Rob! Your comment made my day! I hope that you and yours have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

[@robmiller817]

@@markfordmusic I didnt think you would notice. Forgive the language. The same to you and yours!

[@loganwoods9503]

very beatiful piece can’t wait to play it this year!

[@markfordmusic]

@@loganwoods9503 - Thank you Logan, I hope I get to hear you play Emily’s Dream someday! Best wishes for your music!

[@carter1607]

I wish my school had a 5 octave marimba so I could learn this... just finished learning Sweet Dreams for All-Region tryouts, and this seems like a worthy successor.

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Carter! Maybe try "A Mother's Wish" or "Small Steps". Emily's Dream is longer and more involved and probably will not work on a 4.3 octave marimba.

[@noescapefromreality7327]

I heard you play this at texas state university about a year ago at a percussion camp as a guest there! I’ve gotten so much better and I actually bought your book recently and I’m so looking forward to playing all the pieces in it especially this one I’ve progressed so much since last year and it’s amazing and I can’t wait to play this after tmea region this year of course

[@markfordmusic]

Many thanks for this super comment! I'm very happy that you are enjoying #MarimbaBaby and that your playing is progressing. Keep working hard on your music and send me a video when you are ready. I look forward to it! Best wishes!

[@spookiedukey]

Learning this right now! Can be intimidating but relatively easy once you get the hang of the feel!

[@markfordmusic]

Swampfire - Wonderful!! Go slow and practice one section at a time. I hope that you will post a performance when you are ready! Enjoy!

[@spookiedukey]

Mark Ford will do! I’ll be auditioning to 4 colleges with it and will perform it live in November!

[@markfordmusic]

Swampfire - Excellent! Good luck! How about auditioning at UNT? 😉

[@spookiedukey]

Mark Ford Definitely considered it, but Professor Wu asked me to audition for a potential scholarship 😁

[@thevlog339]

I have bought your book last year, my teacher Mr.Dwyer has told me great things about you!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you! I hope you are enjoying #MarimbaBaby! Please Mr. Dwyer my best! Keep working hard on your music, and good things will happen.

[@haydenschroeder4703]

This solo is amazing!!!!

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks Hayden! I'm glad that you like it!

[@spencerperilloux9961]

Fantastic work, hope to play this soon

[@markfordmusic]

Spencer Perilloux - Thanks Spencer!!! And thank you for checking out #MarimbaBaby!

[@alekwimmert7548]

This is a solo that I would hope to be doing soon

[@analisaalvarez7416]

Thank you so much for this video, I am a huge fan of yours Mark Ford! I’m taking the piece to contest in a few months :)

[@markfordmusic]

Analisa Alvarez - Thank you!! I’m glad you are enjoying Emily’s Dream! Good luck at Solo & Ensemble!

[@Alex-sz6te]

Beautiful, I have the exact same marimba too!!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Alex! Those Bergerault marimbas sound and look amazing! Enjoy!

[@jacoblaguna5371]

I hope to preform this before I graduate high school.

[@markfordmusic]

Great! Start by learning just the opening section. Go slow and work just on this section until you feel comfortable. Then gradually move on to the next section. Good luck!

[@jacoblaguna5371]

@@markfordmusic My copy of MarimbaBaby just came in, and I have started learning this solo. What mallets would you recommend for this solo? The page says the 821s, but in the video you are using your legato mallets. Which ones should I get?

[@markfordmusic]

@@jacoblaguna5371 - In the video it looks like I'm using either the green IP813 series or maybe the IP814's with an IP813 in the #1 position. The Rhapsody IP821 mallets are a bit heavier with a round tone and strong articulation. You could also consider the IP822 mallets. I think either series will be fine. Good luck!

[@AgentNight1]

so good

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Javier!! All the best for your music!

[@515master]

Muy bonito. Me encantó. Saludoss!!

[@markfordmusic]

walther v c - Gracias!!

[@User28207]

I love this solo so much! How long did it take you to learn it all?

[@FairlyOddGamer]

Hey, I'm thinking of playing this solo next year for solo and ensemble, and I was wondering if it would be possible to play this on a 4.5 octave marimba. (I doubt our school will have enough money for a 5 octave by next year, so I'm just making sure)

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks for your comment! I have never considered this but I think it might be possible. However you will need to arrange a few sections where the lower register is required. Study the music first and decide what might be necessary. Then write out the music for those sections that need adjustment. I hope you will be able to play Emily's Dream! Good luck!

[@Joe-io3iv]

I’m learning this piece right now and it’s hard any tips?

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad that you are learning Emily's Dream! While it may seem difficult now, as you start to study the music you will see that there are a few components (or sections) that the music is based on. Since the work does not modulate, these sections always return but sometimes in a different register or slightly modified. I would recommend that you focus on only one section at a time. For example, the opening section is only 11 bars long. Practice this section until you all of the musical markings are heard clearly. This includes tempo, dynamics, phrasing, etc. Practice this small section and strive to play at a high level. Once you are comfortable, move on to the next section (mm. 12-19). While at first this might seem a slow process, you actually will learn the work quicker with more confidence than if you tried to memorize larger sections of the music. Dedicated, consistent practice is the key. Good luck!

[@5.0_gabriel]

Hey Mark Ford! I am asking or your opinion. I am a sophomore in high school and just started play 4-mallet and I think I am okay at them and can make lots of progress. So I was wondering which piece of solo I should play. My choices are between Emily's Dream From and Moon Chaser.

[@markfordmusic]

Gabriel, thank you for your message. This is a difficult question as I have never heard you play and I do not know what marimba music you have already performed. I think you should consult with your percussion teacher for the best advice. That being said, both Moon Chasers and Emily's Dream are favorites of mine and both have unique technical and musical challenges. Whatever you choose to play, I hope you enjoy the journey! Best wishes!

[@5.0_gabriel]

@@markfordmusic Thank you Mark Ford I will be keeping those two pieces in my list. You might know my music teacher her name is Dawn Martinez in Conroe TX .

[@markfordmusic]

@@5.0_gabriel Thank you! Keep working hard on your music and please give Ms. Martinez my best.

[@Hi-xs7cx]

What mallets are those??

[@markfordmusic]

Those mallets I’m using in this video are the Innovative Percussion IP814s with an IP813 in the #1 position. Thanks!

[@Hi-xs7cx]

@@markfordmusic Thank you!

[@thejazzman5231]

Anyone know what mallets he’s using in this piece and does anyone have suggestions for what mallets to use for the Texas Region four mallet piece Sweet Dreams ( by Mark Ford ). Also I have a video of Sweet Dreams on my channel and have region in exactly one week so any feedback is much appreciated!

[@jacksonward4457]

They look like his IP812 or 813s from his innovative percussion series

[@quranmighty3056]

what octave is added on a 5 octave marimba?

[@markfordmusic]

The average range of modern marimbas varies between four and five octaves. Marimbas with 3 ½ octaves (C3 - F6) are extremely rare. Marimba with 4 octaves: C3 - C7 Marimba with 4 1/3 octaves: A2 - C7 Marimba with 4 ½ octaves: F2 - C7 Marimba with 5 octaves: C2 - C7