Marimba: One Handed Roll Exercises on the Floor

I hope you are staying at home to be safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic! Here are some technical 4-mallet marimba exercises for you to do if you do not own a marimba. They can be helpful even if you DO own a marimba! Enjoy!
Mark Ford - University of North Texas

[@steampunkhulk5559]

When you play the floor it sounds like a cartoon penguin floping around on his feets. But thank you for the exercises they seem like a lot of fun

[@joelpierson2628]

The ostinato exercise has a fair amount of independent coordination involved.

[@markfordmusic]

This is true Joel. But these patterns occur often in marimba music, so these exercises will help build a technical foundation for the future. Enjoy! Best wishes!

[@justnoahherehello]

Thank you for these! I want to learn Moon Chasers but the one handed roll stuff looks hard. So these will help!

[@markfordmusic]

Consider the one-handed rolls in Moon Chasers as a "sustained attack." Find a relaxed approach to the rotation of the mallets and listen for a constant tone from the bar as you play.. Often the roll speed for one-handed rolls is too fast. Use you ears to determine when the notes are "sustained" as you play the notes written. Do not grab the mallets tightly and allow your wrist to rotate without tension. Your audience will be focused on the moving line, not the one-handed roll. These rolls help to set the mood and color for the opening statement in Moon Chasers. If you work on these exercises above, in time your one handed roll will be fine! Practice every day!

[@mattblzd]

thanks for this. good idea Mark

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks!!

[@ScottNeyPercussion]

Thanks, Mark. I'll send this off to my students!

[@markfordmusic]

Many thanks Scott!!

[@cfjesus]

Please do more of these !!!!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Jesus! Yes, I will be posting more videos soon so please subscribe to this channel. Best wishes!

[@tanner1548]

Welp. Now I know what tech. exercises I'll be working next week. So glad you put these videos up back in March. Was definitely a great way to deal with being trapped inside by COVID :)

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Tanner! Focus on your technique on marimba and snare drum every day if possible. A little bit every day makes a big difference over a long time! Good luck with your music!

[@daisycardona279]

Thank you so much for posting this! I've been looking for a floor exercise video!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Daisy! I hope these exercises help you. I'll be posting more videos soon so please subscribe! Take care and Be safe!

[@daisycardona279]

@@markfordmusic, absolutely!

[@markfordmusic]

Daisy, thanks again for subscribing!

[@JohnLanePercussion]

Planning to have all my students do your floor exercises. So glad you made this! Thanks!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you John!! All the best!!

[@mddrummer2737]

Great education!! Thank you. Looking forward to incorporating this into my practice routine.

[@coltonmykael]

I really like your shoes Mark

[@pablocf.2007]

Thanks Mark! This video just healped me!☺️

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks Pablo! Keep practicing every day. Good luck!

[@michaelreynolds66]

Sweet! Thank you Mr. Ford.

[@markfordmusic]

Many thanks Michael! Time to hit the floor! :)

[@louderthanjasper7297]

I appreciate this video. Thank you Mr. Ford. Now I won't be as bored:)

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Anthony! Yes, no reason to be bored now! Hit the floor! ;-)

[@paulgering7703]

This is gonna save my ass on Rotation 1 in a month and a half.

[@markfordmusic]

That it might! Consistent, Dedicated Practice will help you reach your goals! Work hard!

[@123456789drums]

Thanks for the wonderful exercises! I’ve been using Joe Morello’s table of time from Master Studies (Almost identical to what you played, just without the ostinato), Theodor Milkov’s Transparent Fluidity, and the triple lateral section from Kevin Bobo’s book. I’d love to see more videos like this! Maybe showcasing rep with one handed rolls, like Variations on Lost Love?

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Alexander! Those are excellent resources you listed. I'll keep the videos coming. Please subscribe! Take care and stay safe!

[@eveweymeersch5874]

I am a French student and I'm learning your piece "moon chasers" during this confinement 😊 I love it a looot ! However, I find it difficult to do the rolls with one hand at the beginning 😢 Any advice?

[@markfordmusic]

Merci Eve! I'm very happy that you are playing Moon Chasers! Enjoy! The exercises in this video would be a great place to start to help develop your one-handed rolls. Also, work on the opening section of Moon Chasers 2 bars at a time each day. Go slow and relax your grip and focus on sustaining the notes softly. In time the combination of these exercises and playing this opening section of the music will slowly give you the ability to play one-handed rolls with confidence and musical direction. Good luck!

[@stefanofunes1011]

Thank you Mark! Very helpful

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks Stefano! Stay safe!

[@davidsuarez80]

Thanks Mark!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you David! I'm so happy that the UNT Percussion Ensemble was able to visit Brandeis HS before all of this Coronavirus mess!! Please give your students my best with this exercise video.

[@davidsuarez80]

It was a real treat for us Mark! Thanks again!

[@twanswagten]

very nice video!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you!!

[@rachenko1987]

Thanks for the exercises, its realy interesting

[@markfordmusic]

Ruslan Rachenko - Thank you! I hope they can help you!

[@Leo94Percussion]

👏👏👏👏

[@markfordmusic]

Many thanks!!

[@suspencill7575]

I notice whenever you play 4-mallet you lift you thumbs while playing. Is there a reason to this or is it just habit?

[@markfordmusic]

This motion in the thumb is a natural extension of being relaxed while playing. It is not something that I'm doing on purpose. I have seen this same motion in other players with excellent technique and I feel the lack of tension allows the thumb to lift off the mallet at times. I do not think it is something you need to worry about. Just focus on a relaxed grip (where the mallets balance in your hands as opposed to you grabbing the mallets) and a fluid wrist and elbow motion (similar to when you shake hands with someone) ( or used to shake hands before social distancing!).

[@marsbars965]

I have a problem with being really inner mallet heavy whenever I one hand “roll” any tips to fix this?

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you for your question. This is an issue that all players must address at some point. The answer will likely be based in your control of double lateral strokes. Often the wrist may turn too quickly slightly altering the rhythm of the double lateral permutation. This typically leaves one mallet closer to the playing surface creating an uneven sound. When practicing a variety of double lateral stroke exercises use a metronome and strive to bring your mallets up to the same height from the keyboard. Listen carefully for even rhythms. Record yourself to be sure. Then when playing one-handed rolls stay relaxed and focus on the same elements. Do not try to play loud. In time you will be able to control the balance and touch of your roll. Good things happen when musical goals are set combined with daily consistent practice!

[@paulmarch540]

what interval do you suggest while practicing this for the first time and will the roll exercise be the same for the Burton grip?

[@cannolivibraphone]

For fast one handed rolls, big intervals are easy. The cross on Burton grip can generate some strange forces in a one hand roll, but it's certainly doable. I play Burton and I use one handed rolls quite a lot. The only thing is to be careful that you can do the roll with the thumb on the inside and outside of the inner mallet (since that changes with interval)

[@kolbym5474]

How could I improve my 4 mallet in just one hand? I’m good with my dominant hand but my non dominant is bad.

[@markfordmusic]

Good question! Don't think about it as one hand over the other. Think about organizing your practice to involve each hand equally in regards to technique. Remember, technique equals sound. So use your ears more than your eyes. Work slowly and methodically to create the same tone and articulation with each hand. In time, your hands will be more balanced. Record yourself playing these exercises and short sections of your music. Listen carefully and by adjusting to the desired sound, you will also be fixing your technique. Be patient and persistent! Good luck!

[@remotecontrol2355]

why is it important to use wrist for your height?

[@markfordmusic]

Because if you lift your arms to adjust the mallet height, then you will be out of position for good accuracy and a consistent tone. Think about it in terms of sports. What's typically easier in basketball? a layup or a 3 point shot? Obviously the layup. So staying closer to the goal helps improve your accuracy. Its the same in marimba performance. Keeping your hands low is keeping you closer to the bars and in better position for accuracy and tone. Of course you will use your arms as part of playing but the initial delivery of the mallets to the bars must involve the wrist.

[@Sensei-jh8yn]

First?

[@markfordmusic]

I'm not sure what you are asking. These two exercises introduced here are to help with the development of the one-handed roll. These would normally be done after the floor exercises in my book, Marimba: Technique Through Music. But if you are asking if you are the first to comment, yes you are! Thank you!