Percussion Axiom TV: Episode #48 "How well do you know your marimba" - Part I

[RockerBug17]

I've been playing on a 4.5 octave marimba that I've been storing for my professor for several years now. It's a Doug Demorrow from 1985, so I feel like I'm playing on marimba history every time I practice.

[juanperc]

Is a great Idea to talk about this issues. Is importan for a musician to know and understand the instrument.

For me one of the good and at the same time bad things about the marimba is the Harmonics ( Overtones) sometimes sound great but sometimes is really difficultt to "hide " them.

[tburritt1971]

agreed about harmonics. I've found softer mallets, along with staying off the center of bars down there can help 'hide" these harmonics. Thanks for commenting.

[whereitruns]

as a viewer of patv, i'm finding that the begging for comments by the host is getting really uncomfortable to watch.

[TheDigitalMonk]

I like it when he asks for comments, it helps to share ideas about percussion, which is basically what the show's about to begin with. He's not trying to play the youtube game of "who can get the most views/comments/ratings/subscri­ptions."

In response to the episode, I agree with some of the other stuff said, I like how you're explaining the science behind the marimba (and any other perc instrument for that matter!) It also explains why Adams have such odd sounding low ends. Square resonators!

[tburritt1971]

Thanks! You are exactly right, do you really think a show about this topic could rule YouTube! Would I take the time to answer these comments if I didn't genuinely care about the responses? Thanks for your dedication to the show!

[tburritt1971]

Sorry you feel this way. The whole point of the show is interactivity, and if I don't encourage comments (like the many great ones below) then we can't interact. This interaction is what separates on-line shows to TV shows, and I think more and more people are looking for interaction. It's where things are going.

Thanks for the comment and I will try and limit my requests in the future.

[juanperc]

Thats The Idea I think...

[Muhroomba]

Interesting episode, I'm actually starting a project for my chemistry class (oddly enough) in which I'm building a marimba, so I find it kind of coincidental that you just put out an episode on how different builds affect the acoustics. On the topic, I'd love to see some discussion on the tuning, maybe about how marimbas are distinguished from xylophones and such. I just love learning about the bars, and what makes a marimba...a marimba!

Love Percussion Axiom by the way, keep it up! :)

[tburritt1971]

Thanks for the comment. Will keep your idea for a possible show in the future!

[mmcau]

Hi Tom, keep going with the marimba stuff! it's fasinating!

I think it'd be great if we go into more details towards things like acoustics/ construction of our instruments.

also, it'd be great if you could do a show on mallet application and selection. for example, what kind of core one should use in what kind of piece and why it works.

your opinion is valuable to us! thanks for the show, and keep up the good work!