Mark Ford Discusses the Musser-Stevens Grip for Marimba

Marimbist Mark Ford offers a brief description of the Musser-Stevens Grip for Marimba focusing on interval changes. Here are the basics for holding the marimba mallets and changing intervals effortlessly to perform music with great tone.
Please comment if you have questions or something to share to this discussion. Also please subscribe!

[@927drummerboy]

Mark you're like a bottle of fine wine, it gets better with age. You're teaching has such clarity and substance. What a blessing you are to the percussion craft. Many thanks for all that you do!

[@markfordmusic]

Jim, thank you for your kind comment! All the best!

[@KevinZahner]

Excellent lesson Mark! … I always knew whatever shedding I avoided while at UNT would follow me. So I’m making up for now as life has given me lemons.

[@chrisw5275]

Great series from a great guy. Mr. Ford once gave a masterclass/recital when I was in grad school at IUP a long time ago (2008ish). The next day I was driving him to Penn State for his next residency and I got lost. We had to ask for directions in a Harley Davidson shop. It was a totally embarrassing experience, but Mr. Ford was so kind and willing to talk "shop" the entire ride. So yeah, I got lost with Mark Ford.

[@markfordmusic]

Chris! Great story! hahaha! But we were able to test drive some of those Harleys! ;-) I hope you and yours are well!

[@kenschaefer5303]

Mr. Ford was a great video. This will help me a lot thank you

[@NoslenLRac]

Great explanation. And thank for the inspirational words at the end of your videos.

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I’m glad that these videos are helping! All the best for your music!

[@paytonmacdonald]

Great videos, thanks for making them!

[@markfordmusic]

Many thanks Payton! I hope you and yours are well! Take care!

[@ChadFloydPercussion]

Great video Mark!

[@markfordmusic]

Thank you Chad!

[@denisgrenier6221]

Monsieur Ford, c'est tellement bien expliqué. You are a great teacher.

[@markfordmusic]

Merci beaucoup!! I’m glad that these videos on marimba technique and musicianship are helpful. All the best for your music!

[@austinpatrick2682]

Not gonna lie. I was technically only taught the musser grip according to this fine demonstration. However, it was called to me as the Steven's grip. In reality though I've always used that adaptation that qualifies it as Musser-Stevens without knowing that I was doing it at all till now. It allows for insanely wide intervals with little to no effort and excellent control. I didn't even know I was doing a real thing all this time. I just sort of did it as I kept trying to expand my intervals without losing control. Now it makes sense how my peers couldn't match my intervals 🤔. Perhaps they weren't breaking the rules of musser grip and didn't realize that I was either.

[@markfordmusic]

Austin, I'm glad this video helped you understand the development of the Musser Grip and the Stevens' adaptation. Best wishes for your music!

[@DeeboComing]

Hi Mr. Ford. I'm a former student of Dr Jason Baker and I'd really appreciate if you could make a video about choosing a 5.0 octave marimba for solo artists/educators. I invested so much time into this instrument in college and I just can't allow all those hours of practice to go to waste simply because I don't have access to an instrument anymore since I'm a high school band director. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions about choosing an instrument. Love the vids and keep up the great work. 👌🏾👍🏾

[@markfordmusic]

Thanks Blake! I'll give that suggestion some thought. It is a personal decision, but for me, I feel that the Bergerault 5-Octave Marimba is the best on the market! If you put many top name marimbas together in the same room, I think you would find that the Bergerault has the best tone and projection, hands down!

[@user-mj5xj3di4v]

Круто, жаль у меня в России в моей деревне, такому никогда не научиться.