How To Learn And Practice ANY Marimba Solo!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

This video took me AGES to make because of all the B-roll footage, as well as the PDF so I hope it's worth it - thank you so much for watching! If you want to download the PDF for this video you can get it FREE at: www.adamtanpercussion.com/download :) Hope this helps you with your marimba practice! #TheStudioFamily

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Andro Yuu Thanks so much man! Yesssss gotta rep that 繁體字!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

HAHAHA I wish I was that versatile!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I've sent you a reply man! Thank you for all your support :)

[@abbytipps]

This is honestly one of the most helpful Percussion-related videos I've ever watched. You've thought everything out so well and articulated it so clearly. It will DEFINITELY help my practice habits! Thank you!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching Abby! I'm glad it helps, good luck with your practice :)

[@percuss3757]

I played Evergreen by Benjamin Finely this year for my recital and I was really happy with the result. It was a weird experience. I would definitely say I focus more on the musicality more than technical aspects of marimba, especially because of my background and current playing of piano. I was told how different I made my performance than the original. Did I hit a lot of wrong notes? Yep! But I think I delivered a heartfelt performance and that is all it takes for me to consider it a good performance :)

[@Xylinc]

This is perfect! I’m currently trying to learn “Over The Rainbow” for my solo, and I found this video for THE SAME SOLO. What a coincidence

[@Salsa4268]

I’m learning that one too and it’s so difficult 😅 I feel like I learn one part and the next day it’s just gone from my head

[@noahgormanmusic1843]

It's funny because now I'm using this method to learn Oetomo's arrangement of Over the Rainbow

[@bek6877]

Thank you so much for this video!! I have indoor percussion auditions in October and I have to learn a solo (Spiral 2, Eric Sammut) once again you have saved my life adam

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching, and oooh October! You still have time man, good luck :)

[@ThereseNgHoiYan]

I totally agree with your strategies, Adam. This is exactly what I do most of the times, but I just do it naturally. It is impressive for you to have figured out the learning process step by step CLEARLY and able to explain it. You deserve 24x2 nuggets.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Therese Ng See you're just too good! You deserve 24x2 bubble cups 😄

[@CostFrost]

This is a perfect guide, and will help me and help my PIT get better this season, thank you so much, I've been having a hard time helping my team learn their music in a fun way (I'm a sophomore captain, and had no previous knowledge of teaching), and I think this will help a lot. Thank you so much for giving techniques to learn solos or songs in general!!! :)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you so much for watching! You're doing a great job as captain then, I'm sure the others will learn a lot from your methods :)

[@tvparty7719]

I love how you respond to your comments..I've been playing marimba in high school marching band for 4 years now and I'm terribly mediocre.. I'm insanely jealous of your skills

[@AdamTanPercussion]

But of course! 4 years is a good start man, don't worry I was absolutely horrible for my first 5 years because I didn't practice, I'm sure you are already doing a better job than me :)

[@marianat.408]

I'm performing my first ever solo, Yellow After the Rain at our percussion ensemble concert in a week. I'm so nervous because I've never performed a solo that wasn't within an ensemble. Any tips to help with my nervousness?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That's awesome to hear Mariana! I think you should definitely record yourself a few times as well as get someone else to come and listen to you before the concert :) That way you can be nervous behind closed doors and then when it comes time for the concert you will automatically feel less stressed! Don't be scared, you can do it I promise 😊

[@ringmasterblaze]

Thanks for this. Helps a lot.

[@honyaisawesomesauce]

This has been so helpful! I am working on an audition to transfer to a different higher level university, and this is saved my life. I am even doing it with my timpani and snare pieces as well. Thank you so much! 💕

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Slow and steady wins the race! Thank you for watching, and good luck with your audition, you'll be amazing :)

[@marinasimmons3553]

Adam, this has to be your best video so far! I am going to download the steps and add them to my folder! I love how you broke down the entire sequence into small steps AND reminded everyone that the marimba is also a visual performance! When I was in high school no one ever talked about the visual aspect until a jazz group came to our school and the vibraphone player talked about it. I will never forget watching him, it looked like he was almost "pulling" the sound out of the keys with his mallets!! Thank you for all the hard work you do, especially on this video! P.S. Thank you Wilson, I almost spit my coffee all over my keyboard but I needed the laugh!! Bahahahaha!!!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

MARINA thank you so much!!! I totally agree, we all watch performances and almost all percussion requires us to stand up and move about, so why not make use of that? Sounds like that vibes player knows what's up ;) And yes I'm very grateful for Wilson and his new acting career hahahaha

[@marinasimmons3553]

Oh and let me add....it's lunch time the next day and all I am thinking is, "I could really go for some chicken nuggets right about now..."

[@mintylemon66]

bro this is so good as in it can be applied to virtually any instrument

[@mariomasc94]

Thank you Andam for this good and helpful video, It's my first year that I play Marimba in Conservatory in Italy and I will take note of Your step!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank YOU Mario for watching! That is awesome man, best of luck to your first year in a conservatory!

[@bandproduction]

This is just what I needed. I have bad practicing habits but this is helpful of fixing them and keeping them in check so I want to thank you so much. Overall your channel is amazing for percussionists and specifically for marimbists. I just bought the same Over The Rainbow today so it felt like the video is for me LOL.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I'm so glad to hear that Daniel! We all have to fix our bad habits, I have heaps too... I'm glad you're enjoying the channel and Rainbow is LIT - hope you enjoy playing it :)

[@ZeldaBrawler]

you seem to know exactly what I need exactly when I need it and IM BLESSED THANKS FOR YET AGAIN, SOME AWESOME CONTENT!!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching! I guess you just have good taste in video ideas HAHA

[@pjm4w]

Very informative! I have an audition next week for the Performance Program at my university and if I make it in, (and probably even if I don't) there are three marimba pieces I'm looking perform for a recital this academic year and this method seems really pragmatic and efficient. Tbh, it would probably work very well regardless of the instrument. Anyway, I'm also in the middle of learning your piece as well, it's really fun so far!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

YOU'RE LEARNING MY PIECE thank you so much!!! I reckon you can make it in man, with the right amount of work you can do anything :)

[@bagelsquared]

Thank you for this! I'm learning a duet for my solo and ensemble coming up around early next year! I really needed this!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Hope it helps!

[@bradymedlin7943]

Auditioning for all-american so this helps a lot with learning my marimba solo in a month!

[@spazticperson3715]

Super helpful and useful. Gonna use this to get my 4 mallet solo learned. You my friend have just gotten my sub

[@dzni9061]

Perfect timing. I just got my solo (that by the way I found because if you).

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you so much for watching! Good luck with the solo :)

[@ethanwarrington3601]

how does he only have 4.6k subs like he deserves more he is so proffesional

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Hahaha oh well, as long as I have a couple of people who watch my videos I'm happy :)

[@manuelrojas3305]

Adam !!! Well done ! I will be using this technique for my pieces :)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Manuel Rojas Thank you so much Manuel! Hope your pieces grow stronger every day!

[@Irishpineapple97]

Hey, man. I'm new to your channel but I think your content is really great. Thank you! I was wondering if you had ever thought about putting together a video about sight reading? I would love to hear some tips on how to improve sight reading on keyboard.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Irishpineapple97 Thanks so much! This is a good suggestion, I'll have to think about how to articulate it but I appreciate it 😀

[@Ryanasuarusrex]

Thank you sir, it's crazy how you acknowledge the solo I'm learning right now in this video out of the blue lol (Land).

[@Comehomeapa]

OOH MY JESUS THE YEEZYS THO

[@AdamTanPercussion]

😅😅😅😅

[@maxgallantdrums]

but really, are they legit yeezys?

[@Comehomeapa]

Max Gallant I mean like he does have boosts and a frickin 15k marimba, I don't think this dude would buy fakes 😂😂😂😂

[@hunterwirt8343]

Unless the marimba is fake🧐

[@Carlos-fz7mf]

I love this video! Good to know I'm doing a lot of what you said. Also good to know there's more I need to do! I will definitely apply this to the piece I'm playing now, Memories of the Seashore, for my sophomore juries. Thank you for your knowledge my friend!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That is awesome Carlos! Thank you for watching, and I hope that your juries go well :)

[@The_JLav]

Your emphasis on lots of small sectional work before putting things together is interesting. I typically do bigger sections and put things together a bit earlier, but that might be hindering me. My classmates and I also watch each other practice much earlier than you're advocating, like as we're putting sections together we'll pull people into the practice room to listen. I think this really helps with performance anxiety when we present the finished product for the first time.

[@drumuchy]

Adam, your approach is just wonderful! Loads of very interesting thoughts arranged with great structure! As a drummer, i would add a small idea to your metronome practice: when i'm learning a drum solo (or a musical piece), and i'm reaching the tempo it should be played with, after rehearsing it to a nice-sounding point, i usually increase tempo a little bit (3-10 bpm, according to the main tempo) and practice it with the increased speed. Sometimes it helps me with the original tempo A LOT! Because the original tempo might be challenging, and when you play it you starting to think that you have reached your limits. But after rehearsing it in the increased tempo (of course, it should sound well and be technically correct) original tempo might become a relieve to you, kinda a safe point, where you think "huh, it's not so fast anymore" and you can relax and stop thinking about speed and technical issues anymore and just enjoy the music!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

That is true, always good to be overprepared rather than underprepared, I'll remember that :) Thank you for watching!

[@joshuariddle4956]

This video is incredible! Thanks so much for sharing your process! In the future, I think it would also be beneficial to see the process you use to practice technique, as opposed to just showcasing the exercises you use (like you've done in the past). Thanks for providing great content and keep doing what you're doing!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you so much for watching Joshua! I will definitely think about making a more detailed technique video in the future, thank you for the suggestion :)

[@wyatt6212]

This will be VERY useful for this fall! Thank you!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Wyatt Cameron thank YOU for watching! Hope it helps 😀

[@samhanlon9]

I remember when you were at 50 subs, it's been entertaining watching you grow :)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND! I hope the videos have gotten better :)

[@yllomisces]

Thank you so much for this video ! This is so helpful 😊

[@AdamTanPercussion]

周芳晨 Thank you for watching! I'm glad I can help you 😄

[@alannamiller474]

oooH my goodness i have a solo in 7 days.. thank you so much for this video

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you for watching Alanna! Good luck with your solo, I am sure you'll be great!

[@alannamiller474]

thank you! today i made so much progress by practicing on small sections at once. i literally got past 18 bars that had been troubling me for days in just 4 hours by doing it bar by bar instead of starting from the beginning every time i mess up. thank you again!!

[@leonardoperez5909]

Hi thanks you very much for the help! im starting to learn the Darius Milhaud Concerto for Marimba and Vibraphone for my conservatoire's audition on september this year, i feel thats there is not much time left but i dont wanna rush up the process so im going to follow this system. keep going with this thanks again!

[@ShorterBread]

You are a godsend, that is all

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Mei-Lyn Woon Ahahaha you're so silly, thanks for watching 😄

[@TheSpyrohog]

Adam, you're amazing Thanks for all the content and reviews

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks so much man, I really appreciate it! Will keep on making more :)

[@lemonswounge2930]

I am trying to learn Libertango by Eric Sammut, but it is really challenging so idk if I can do it but I am going to try and use this method...hope it works

[@AdamTanPercussion]

You can learn ANYTHING if you do it slow man, I reckon you got it!!!

[@Thor962]

Just sent this to one of my students, THANKS FOR SAYING SLOW! 😭😭😭

[@AdamTanPercussion]

J.T. Aguilar SLOWWWW hahaha thank you for sharing with your students!

[@gonun69]

Thanks, gonna try this

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Please do and let me know how it goes!

[@petervan7458]

Hey Adam, I'm a junior in the states and have decided to finally buy a full set of quality marimba mallets. I don't have that much money (but enough) and am hoping to study percussion at a university. What mallets and what hardnesses do you recommend if I'm trying to just buy one set of all around amazing mallets at a reasonable price that I will be satisfied for college also?

[@petervan7458]

I am definitely willing to invest a good amount of needed

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Funny you say that, I would happily recommend the Van Sice duo-tonal series as it is guaranteed to last a long time (my friend Matthew has had his for 11 years) and they are well priced :)

[@williamerese8369]

Im late but thank u this is 100% helpful. AND I FOOKIN LOVE OVER THE RAINBOW I WANNA LEARN IT SO BAD THANK YOU FOR USING IT AS AN EXAMPLE THROUGHOUT THE VIDEO (,:

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I’m glad man! You can do it for sure, just take it slow!

[@noahgormanmusic1843]

Hey Adam, great video and it proved very helpful for my college auditions. I was wondering, can you post a video of yourself playing the Oetomo arrangement at any point?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you man! I did think about that, although there are already so many amazing renditions of it I don't know if mine would be up to scratch LOL

[@junethanoschurchill6750]

lol thanks for teaching me how to learn your piece

[@AdamTanPercussion]

June Thanos Churchill THANK YOU FOR LEARNING MY PIECE!

[@abbynywong]

Have to meet you!!! Hello from Hong Kong😆

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I'll definitely see you in Hong Kong Abby, don't worry! :) Thanks for watching!

[@abbynywong]

ill be playing spitfire by nathan daughtrey with two of my friends and it's so fun practicing them

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Nga Yee Abby Wong you're playing in HK too? Can't wait to see!

[@abbynywong]

nah just another recital with my friends haha

[@bradencutright-head6629]

This is all very useful information. I’m trying to think of a good two-mallet marimba solo that I can practice on my school’s 4.3 octave. Do you have any suggestions?

[@whateverfin]

i'll keep u fresh and polished

[@jacobflynn3663]

In your opinion is it more important to work on chops first or just learn the music and then once u have learned it build up ur chops

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I think you need the chops first if you want to learn the music more efficiently :) a lot of people learn music without chops and it is quite obvious when you have to perform it that it's not up to scratch!

[@tsreeves.percussion1933]

Adam I have a question for you. Have you ever considered trying out for a drum corps?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Neverrrr because we don't have any in Australia :(

[@tsreeves.percussion1933]

well darn. you could probably make it into any one that you wanted if you were in America

[@teqskull7479]

Hey Adam, do you think there can be a limitation to how good someone can be at percussion, or is it that if you put enough work in you will eventually become good enough to perform full solos?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Good question man! There is never a limit to how good you can be, I think there's always something new to learn no matter how long you've been in the game :) And solos always differ, some solos are easier than others and some people just 'work' better with certain solos! It's an endless pursuit of excellence :)

[@filipecalixto6569]

U can always be faster and more precise and more fluid etc.... The sky is the limit man!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

THIS IS TRUE

[@judyrury945]

Love your Video's even though I do not play the Marimba, I have a Vibraphone.

[@davidperaza9526]

Hey Adam! Really like how the entire process is micro managed into stages and steps and that sort of stuff. Makes it very easy to apply to pretty much whatever Percussion or musical piece I might perform. Quick question, I've been listening to the "Over the Rainbow" arrangement by Mr. Rob and I have been interested in performing it for my Solo&Ensemble contest. I'm only a sophomore in high school so would you recommend this piece for my level?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks David! You are right, you can use this process for whatever piece you wish to perform :) I reckon you could definitely play it in high school if you just practice it SLOWLY first - it's actually quite easy technique wise but you have to know the notes well :)

[@SophiaSuante]

Nice video! I have auditions for university next semester, so this would help a lot (: This does seem very time consuming so I should start soon 😅

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ahahaha it certainly is time consuming but you can do it! Thank you for watching, and GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR AUDITIONS :)

[@waylenbeare1020]

What mallets should you use for a solo like rotation 4 by Eric samut

[@whateverfin]

LOL rob cameo

[@nabilzbeast]

What about writing notes in

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Yes that's analysis step 4 in the video :)

[@Alex-sm4wi]

I really want to play this piece but the delivery to the UK costs like triple the piece itself, do you know if theres a digital copy available anywhere?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Unfortunately no digital copy, the tapspace copy is the only one :( Are you sure there are no local stores?

[@Alex-sm4wi]

not that I'm aware of, i guess ill have to try transcribing by ear!

[@taemonge3835]

im using this for moon rn :)

[@RoseMadderCarlito]

I've recently bought "sugaria" from e. Sammut, but I can't find information on what does it means...I don't even know the pronounce of "sugaria"...can you help me?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

All I know is that I'm pretty sure it's pronounced shu gah ree ya... but I don't know anything else about it at the moment... sorry ahahaha

[@SaltineCracker]

Just a personal preference with annotating the score. I would copy the score to mark on it and not ruin the original score.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Yesss I forgot to say that, I hate original marking the score too :| thanks for reminder!

[@nahauhsoj7530]

love ur yeezys. oh yea. and the advice 😅😂👍🏻

[@AdamTanPercussion]

HAHAHA of course... 😅

[@nahauhsoj7530]

Adam Tan but real talk this is gonna help me mucho for my pulse percussion audition 😬😬. taking a stab at land. btw. do you have any practice advice for people like me in high school that don't have regular access to a marimba? piano can only go so far yknow...

[@AdamTanPercussion]

nahauhsoj That's awesome man! I know some people make practice mats for marimba with felt and cloth (with key shaped felt that's exactly the same size as marimba bars) and then put it over their bed and use that as a guide, maybe that's worth looking into!

[@nahauhsoj7530]

Adam Tan will consider! thanks for the advice!

[@ZacharyCookComposer]

Do you teach private lessons or something?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Yesssss I do mostly one-on-one stuff :)

[@whateverfin]

ur my marimba dreemz

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Collin Findlay Collin you are on fire tonight

[@austinch3]

How to do part of step 1 for learning Path Binge watch The Studio 😂

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Hahahahaha too kind! Thank you so much for purchasing my piece 😁

[@kayzehaya]

CHICKEN NUGGET omg

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO MENTION IT

[@jkid9d99]

I emailed you on Instagram could you please reply but besides that this guide has helped me learn more of my solo a lot more efficiently

[@kannonworsham5632]

me watching this video so i can perform Dream for solo and ensemble next year

[@matthewmcconnell3442]

Mmmmmmm, you agree that McDonalds chicken nuggets are the best right?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Matthew Mcconnell ABSOLUTELY!

[@ARMProducts1120]

I never though Over the Rainbow made you think of McDonald's.

[@whateverfin]

ok im done im so sorry

[@ferrysille3710]

all of that works in other percussion instruments I hope haha

[@AdamTanPercussion]

elcampero ferrero Yesss I'd like to think so!

[@AndreHance]

It isn't Sunday

[@AdamTanPercussion]

No it's not 😰

[@waylenbeare1020]

Dooont wriiite on the originaaaaal. Ugh whatever you pay for it so ig it doesn't matter

[@AdamTanPercussion]

waylen BEARE Hahaha yes I don’t normally either but I forgot to copy this before the shoot...

[@mecheevyn7002]

The sparkling fiction natively juggle because dungeon allegedly gather toward a unknown innocent. expensive, flagrant dream