Ep. 13 Independent Strokes with Stevens Grip

[@Tones_24]

I keep coming back to this video, great content and resources!

[@Nardikron]

I could leave this comment on this video as well as any, but you should know that I'm very grateful for your teaching. It's amazing to find free information on such a specialized instrument. I'm a self taught pianist, and I know there are techniques that I've developed that hinder growth, so I've been watching your videos to help me because holding sticks in my hand is very new and somewhat frustrating. So, thank you so much!

[@GeovicDAzn]

I was recently placed on front ensemble (marimba) to fill in vacancies. I've been playing and marching alto sax for five years and I got thrown into this world. Thank you so much for these vids.

[@jaycubby]

Im a little late but these videos are great, I am trying out for marimba 3 soon after playing bells, I have been having trouble keeping my outside mallets relatively still but this has helped a lot, thanks!

[@Marimbalogy]

They can move a little bit, that's normal :)

[@pilotof787]

3:00 Changed my life.

[@kyakc]

Changed my playing. Goateddd

[@kamilhuseynzade8416]

The best

[@GAMINGxACE]

Hey thanks for posting this video I have a solo competition in a few weeks and I just got my solo and it has a lot of independent strokes in it. Your was basically like a crash course for me because I play snare in our drumline. So thanks again.

[@Marimbalogy]

You're welcome! Glad I"ve been able to help!

[@jvg0325]

My percussion instructor got us started on four mallets fairly quickly(I'm a freshmen) so when we go to faster tempos when playing with the inner mallets, I completely loose rotation. Do you have any tips to help me work on that? Thanks.

[@Marimbalogy]

Crossmen 04 under the percussive teaching of Lee Bedis and Steve Ballard, now at Crown

[@Andy251153]

does size of one's hand affect your ability to play at all. I'm a senior in high school but I'm around 4'11"... so my hands are somewhat small to. Also how to you build those sort of drum corps chops. Would it be ok to have really heavy mallets (like m200 pessntes) and try to chop out for a bit every day.

[@Marimbalogy]

There are plenty of marimba players with small hands. I would recommend using light mallets when possible though. It's better to build great technique at first then build muscle later than the reverse. You can always build "chops" after you have good technique. IMO technique is easier to build when you're not stressing out your small muscle groups all the time.

[@Marimbalogy]

Hi there! The link is in the description!

[@Marimbalogy]

@garaa111111111111111 Cord warped instead of yarn tend to hold up better, but I like the sound of yarn more. Currently my group is using the Vic Firth outdoor series. They have help up ok, but expect to replace them every 2-3 years if you're playing in the rain and stuff.

[@Marimbalogy]

Well I think vibes are one of the coolest interments ever :)

[@Tones_24]

Is your hall of the mountain king exercise in a minor? I was trying to go off piano sheet music that was in b minor

[@Percussionistforhire]

I'm still a little confused, the motion you went through with turning the wrist in and everything without the mallet looks nothing like what you do with the mallets. It looks like you use the fingers, which I know isn't true D: Is it just really subtle movements in actual practice, so it's barely visible?

[@Marimbalogy]

Hey Julie, lower your mallets and keep working the tempo's up with a metronome. Also be SURE that you are using piston strokes!!! If you get used to locking down the mallet at slow speeds, your muscles try to do that at fast speeds.

[@Marimbalogy]

You're welcome!!!!

[@intrepid_grovyle]

Hi Marimbalogy im planning on trying out for DCI for marimba or vibes, and I've got a solid base on four mallet technique. I have been working on my independent strokes but making sure my outer mallets do not wobble around too much and simply rotate. what are your tips in getting at a DCI level for four mallets? How would you recommend practicing? Thanks so much.

[@garaa111111111111111]

@Marimbalogy Thanks again!

[@kojikurac121]

Hi, I have a question. When I play S.I. strokes milh mallet 1, the mallet 2 lips around more that when I play mallet 4( mallet 3 is almost still). Is it a "problem" of beind right-handed? What do i do? Specially in thirds with mallet 2 on the black keys.

[@Marimbalogy]

Try both hands together to make sure they are doing the same thing. Also check the angle of your wrist and arm in both hands. A little movement is ok.

[@djramar]

hi charlie, who are you, i have little question for you, its about a steven´s exercise from his book, "Method of movement", on single independent stroke at page 41, exercise 4 and 5, stevens says " The mallet Must be moved on the stroke recovery of the last 16th of each group, Do not stop the motion of the mallet until it is over the next pitch". he is talking about the "stroke recovery" That he described on shift and interval change efficiency, so the mallet must be moved to that point or i have to make the interval change at that point of each group. i don´t know if make sense, but i´m confuse right now jaja. When i have to make the interval change, after play the pitch of the first measure (Octaves) or after, when i´m going to play the next measure ( fifths) thanks.

[@Marimbalogy]

+diego jose ramos martinez What he's saying is if you're playing F and A together, then you're going to play G and C, you should move the mallet interval and position when the mallets are on the way up from hitting F and C. Or in other words, as soon as the mallets strike the wood, they are getting ready for the next note.

[@Marimbalogy]

+diego jose ramos martinez Also, this video explains it a little better kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX66nX15jbCJg5o

[@garaa111111111111111]

What's the best mallets to use for marching band?

[@SaroMazzotta]

What drum corps did you march?

[@garaa111111111111111]

@Marimbalogy How much would it cost for 2 pairs? and would you recommend any mallets for the xylophone?

[@garaa111111111111111]

@Marimbalogy Thanks!

[@kevinstingley8740]

What mallets do you use, or what should I get? The mallets I have are too soft and I don't know where too start. Please help

[@Marimbalogy]

Personally I love the Medium Bobo Mallets (KB11 I think) I recommend light for beginners, like the LS15's. IP240's are also good, but the handles are a bit slick sometimes.

[@Marimbalogy]

Who's your instructor?

[@Marimbalogy]

You're welcome!

[@Marimbalogy]

Hey there! It is subtle. But rest assured I'm not moving my fingers at all. The wrist is moving on two axis' because if it was not the other mallet would wildly move around. The motion in the vid is very exaggerated. Do a few thousand independent strokes and your hands will find the way!

[@smashpokeZ]

I've been doing mallets for a few years now and I'd say that I have a good foundation when it comes to 4-mallets. However, I was recently introduced to the idea (by a experienced marimbist) that when performing independent strokes, that the tacet mallet should rotate or spin in its place while playing the other mallet. generally my mallets will stay on the same key but wiggle just a bit. Is there anything I would need to do to complete more of the tacet mallet rotation or does it not matter as much?

[@Marimbalogy]

It will always move a little bit. But with practice and following the angle guidelines I talked about in the video, you can minimize it!

[@d3fyre]

You were in drum corps? Which one?

[@michaelhughes1837]

Maribiaolgy my percussion teacher told me that your pinky is supposed to stay still do you have any tips you can tell me hes a world class marimba player but honestly i dont know how to do that could u give me a tip or two to help? Also i think you need to tell the other people watching to keep there wrist low almost level to the keyboard, and to make sure there index finger is loose around the mallet.I go to Kaufman HS, and Im a good player so Im told. Im not a nube or anything. I just want to work on my tech. Ive played the solo "Raindance",and went to state. Im also a freshmen. Id just also like to know if you think that is good for a freshmen to play that because marimba is my worst instrament. But i want to get better. Thank you for reading this I hope you get back to me soon. Thanks!

[@Marimbalogy]

+Michael Hughes Hello! Generally the pinky stays still until you're doing an extreme interval. Great job on Raindance! I love that one. As far as what to play, take a listen to Rebecca Kite's CD "Prism".

[@Marimbalogy]

Crossmen 04, back when Lee Beddis Taught there!

[@Marimbalogy]

@garaa111111111111111 Not sure, check out steveweissmusic They rock!

[@BuddergodProductions]

are those innovative 150s?

[@Marimbalogy]

275's I think

[@Marimbalogy]

Crossmen 2004 Under Lee Bedis and Steve Ballard. Check out my latest video, I give full credits to my past teachers :)

[@Marimbalogy]

Lol thanks :)

[@BuddergodProductions]

are those innovative 150s?

[@Marimbalogy]

+MCProd Either 240s or 275's I forgot.

[@BuddergodProductions]

+Marimbalogy I personally don't like innovative mallets. just got some vic firths at my school. a lot lighter, and a better grip