... like a burden too heavy, by Brian Blume

[@itmemystic1346]

This was well over a year ago at this point, but you were a judge at one of my indoor percussion competitions. Wish I had the chance to say hi. I was coming back to reminisce on band memories as I graduated and am now an engineering major at Purdue. I went to Bremen high school if you remember that. We played valley of Nepal and strawberry blonde

[@A_penguin_from_matmart4928]

My high school band has asked the whole percussion section to learn and play a marimba solo and I chose this song to play. Wish me luck!

[@briancblume]

Awesome. Good luck!

[@A_penguin_from_matmart4928]

Well I went and did the solo today and got a pretty decent rating of a 2 (We rate our performances from 1 to 5, 5 being "Needs a lot more work" to 1 being an excellent performance). My only trouble with this solo was some of the permutations but other wise the judges said I did a great performance. Thank you for your support and keep doing you!

[@lukerathbone6035]

I don't know how I've never seen this before. This is awesome. Thank you for blessing this earth with your compositions!!

[@sonicthefastest1]

I remember when I picked up this solo at PASIC last year and played it, but I wish I could have captured all of the aspects that you added to this wonderful piece of music!

[@briancblume]

Thank you! Very kind words, and much appreciated.

[@igorjurinic]

This is very nice! I can only imagine how beautiful would be a piece that has this as a first mvt.! :)

[@briancblume]

Thanks! In performance, I do tend to pair this with Unforced Rhythms, sort of as a two-movement work. For what it's worth... :-)

[@927drummerboy]

Very thought provoking writing; well designed, very musical, very much a representation of your inner self Brian. Many blessings to you!!!! Jim Whitfill

[@briancblume]

jim edward I appreciate the comments, Jim! That means a lot.

[@Aguiar412]

I'm doing this for a solo, I'm so excited! So pretty

[@djungelskogsn7529]

Learning this now. 23 years old started at 16. But this is still proving a challenge. It’s a beautiful piece and fits right in with my recital theme

[@djungelskogsn7529]

Recital is almost here! Watching again to make sure I’m capturing everything in the piece. The only thing I do differently is at letter B I do 1-3-2-3 instead of 1-3-2-4

[@djungelskogsn7529]

And the musical expression is slightly different but that’s to be expected

[@CelticFan6795]

I am playing this for an Individual & Ensemble competition for indoor drumline in April. I somehow (I don't know how) managed to maneuver my way through it on vibe. Overall, I can't wait to perform it and it is an amazing piece!!!

[@JeffSass]

Wonderful composition and wonderful playing. Thank you for sharing Brian!

[@PSYouAreInteresting]

This year I’m a freshman and this is my solo

[@jacobzufelt3433]

@JDRMusicOfficial yo whats up bro

[@devonbreedlove3872]

I love this solo I'll be plahing it at districts this fall

[@garyfieldman]

Extremely Beautiful!

[@briancblume]

Thank you, Gary!!

[@itmemystic1346]

Playing this at state solo ensemble this weekend, wish me luck lol

[@briancblume]

Good luck! 😁

[@itmemystic1346]

@@briancblume update over a year later, I got a gold with a perfect score

[@Marchingband4life-l1m]

That's great 👍

[@evanmchapman]

Love it!

[@jimcasella]

Bravo, Brian!!

[@joeschulz3293]

❤ TOLL 😮

[@haileyrush1686]

This was my 9 weeks exam for band yesterday. I really love this solo! 😊

[@rafaeltoranzo7072]

Now that I'm in college and my college doesn't have a marching front ensemble, this kinda makes me miss playing on mallet percussion

[@briancblume]

Thanks, Justin! Much appreciated.

[@monkeybull445]

Just ordered this. Planning on playing either this or Ghost River by Stephen Crawford for next years MSBOA Solo and Ensemble. Can't wait for the sheets to come.

[@briancblume]

Excellent! Best wishes to you on your preparation, whatever you play. Thanks for checking out the piece!

[@monkeybull445]

Brian Blume Thanks, i gotta say, i love your facial expressions as you play this. They make you look like you are going to burst into tears at any moment, I LOVE IT! I wish i could play the notes for the 4.6 octave version, but sadly my school only has a 4.3 octave.

[@monkeybull445]

Brian Blume So I've been working on this piece for the last month and a half, and the one part that i can't seem to get right is the part where you have an octaves pattern in the high end and the E flat/A natural to B natural/F sharp ostinato in the bass. Is it normal for the tendons in my arms to feel strained when i have to spread my arms like that? I am only about 5 foot 4-ish in height with proportionally long arms. Do you have any tips on that section, it's measure 56-57. Thanks!

[@himmy0169]

I love this song at the first time I listen to. ^_^

[@evedonatelli]

I'm playing this for my solo

[@jeremyprawat7864]

Same

[@nosearose]

me too lol

[@rebeca8340]

relatable

[@OrlandoFBarreiro]

Autentico. Eres un crack Brian

[@74bwilson]

very well done

[@drumdude113]

Wow. I hope to capture the emotion that you do in your playing and writing someday. Quick question, what mallets are you using here? I've been playing with Innovative soloist series ever since I've learned marimba and I'm looking to expand my collection. Thanks Mr. Blume!

[@briancblume]

Thanks, Reese! I used Innovative Percussion NJZ3 for this piece (Zivkovic series). Love the feel and weight of these mallets, and they produce a very full tone. Thanks for watching!

[@justinbrewer9776]

1:30 - 2:07 (Absolutely spectacular)

[@nickrainey4266]

What kind of mallets are you using? I’m playing this solo for my bluecoats audition, so beautiful.

[@briancblume]

Thanks! The mallets in the video are the old Zivkovic mallets from IP. That series became the Artisan series, and I think what I used is the equivalent to the IP5003 (not totally sure). Good luck on the audition!

[@thejazzman5231]

U can tell what kind of marimba this is without even seeing the color of the wood lol

[@carolynloper6507]

What level of mallet hardness would you recommend?

[@briancblume]

I suggest something intermediate (in terms of hardness), as you want to balance trying to get warmth out of the low end, but clarity in the upper end. Most of the piece sits right in the middle register of the marimba. Thanks for watching!