@alsdkj100 Focus on note accuracy and keeping your 16th notes especially in the areas where there is a steady tempo. Pay attention to your overall speed, it doesn't necessarily need to be played exceptionally fast and playing it at a comfortable pace makes it easier to create dynamic contrast.
This isn't the most technically challenging piece, I found it to be more endurance. Don't worry about being a freshman, I went to state with this piece after only playing a marimba for 7 months. Practice!
What grade were you in when you recorded this? This is my favorite from Smadbeck and I've already played Etude #1 and I'm almost done with Rhythm song, do you know how hard it is compared to those?
@cayspawn I'd say it's about as difficult as rhythm song. But since you are doing rhythm song already, it shouldn't be that hard learning this piece since the stickings and motifs are fairly similar. Good luck!
I have watched a ton of videos on this piece and I really like your interpretation, especially in the beginning half. Just thought i would let you know!
use to heavier mallets with more yarn. That aside you dynamics (minus accents/non-accented notes), tempo, notes where learned very well. I think if some just put a nice pair of lush heavy soft corps masters your hands this piece would be alot easier to listen to.
is the marimba high enough for you, I also suggest a litter touch or softer mallets because it almost as if durring the reprise/non-robato version of the intro the soprano voice is slam on top of the accomp. and the written accents also come accross as slams...omg this piece would sound some much better if your mallets britle and it didn't feel like you where taking a solo piece of literature to use as an accent to tap exercise. I mean play as loud as you want, within reason, but
Played very well, but I agree that it is played a little too fast for my taste. When I played it back in high school I brought out the majesty of this piece a little more by slowing it down. Not knocking on this interpretation though because it was well done.
I disagree, I don't think this should really be a power piece. In my opinion, you should play this down tempo and concentrate on much more artistry and keeping a consistent tempo. Playing right notes isn't hard, playing music is.
I actually dont mind this faster version, when most people play fast on virginia tate it tends to sound really messy. You did a very good job playing it fast though, it sound way cleaner then most people who do play it fast. ;DDD
It's really meant for a 5 octave marimba because of the bass notes. However, you can play the whole piece up an octave if you want to play it on a 4 octave (I do this when I'm practicing at home because I do not have a 5 octave marimba)..
For the very beginning just be flowing & think of it as a mini cadenza. During the part where the beginnign section repeats, start playing in time. In the middle section, anticipate the double stops so that you can easily hit them & then get back to the bass. Keep the music flowing because that's what adds the whole effect to the piece. In the slow and flowing part, again think of it as a cadenza. In the end, start slow & then speed up & diminuendo until the last note is almost inaudible.
I wish I could help. My original copy shows the 1999 date as a copyright date. I know that Smadbeck returned to composing in the late 80's but I can't find an exact composition date. Sorry!
@TimoPalm the first composition of this piece was in 1995. he made later revisions until it became what is now the published version. regrettably I dont know the date he finished but I know he started in 1995. I dont know if that helps or not. sorry if it doesnt
@TimoPalm the original composition was completed in 1995, however he made revisions until it became what is now the published version. I do not know the date he finished those revisions. Hope that helps. sorry if it doesnt
wow you play very high up! and you still get a pretty good sound out of your playing too, but do you think that lowering the marimba could help get a more full sound out of your strokes?
you played everything every well. this is a pretty hard solo to play. the only thing I would have liked better is if you slowed the tempo down at a few parts. tempo is always a hard part of music master. overall...well done!
wow you use burton? i'm no longer a percussionist (cellist now) but when i did play w/ four mallets, i used stevens grip and burton was impossible for me except for vibraphone. excellent control!!!
Either the marimba is too high up, or you are crouching down in a way that makes it look like the marimba is raised too high. Just an observation. Sounds good; very fast, probably one of the fastest recordings of it I've heard.
I think you are playing way too fast.. you need to slow it down and interpret it better. If you want to hear a good good recording of listen to she-e wu
I've heard some world-renowned musicians play this piece and it's never been so fast. Not sure that's how Mr. Smadbeck wanted it played, but you sure have a bright future ahead of you. Eastman needs you up in New York.
John is really amazing in this piece. I have listened to it over 75 times at least 5 times a day. This piece is so cool because the feeling just jumps right at you and you cant get away from it. I love this.
@alsdkj100 Focus on note accuracy and keeping your 16th notes especially in the areas where there is a steady tempo. Pay attention to your overall speed, it doesn't necessarily need to be played exceptionally fast and playing it at a comfortable pace makes it easier to create dynamic contrast.
This isn't the most technically challenging piece, I found it to be more endurance. Don't worry about being a freshman, I went to state with this piece after only playing a marimba for 7 months. Practice!
ARandomGuitarist 4 months ago
Are you using traditional grip?
arthas63794851 6 months ago
@arthas63794851 I am using Burton
crazylilflip 6 months ago
composed in 1995.
fightingforgotton 8 months ago
great job! love this piece
dj3ntz 8 months ago
I'm learning this piece as a freshmen. Any advice?
alsdkj100 9 months ago
@alsdkj100 hope you have long arms or fast hands cause it gets prety spread out
musicfanatic528 7 months ago
@musicfanatic528 I'm pretty short but i think i'll be able to play it
alsdkj100 6 months ago
@alsdkj100 yeah i have a friend who is 5'3" and he played it lol so i bet you could pulll it off!!
musicfanatic528 6 months ago
kids got some sick dance moves
TheMayZek 9 months ago
What grade were you in when you recorded this? This is my favorite from Smadbeck and I've already played Etude #1 and I'm almost done with Rhythm song, do you know how hard it is compared to those?
cayspawn 11 months ago
@cayspawn I'd say it's about as difficult as rhythm song. But since you are doing rhythm song already, it shouldn't be that hard learning this piece since the stickings and motifs are fairly similar. Good luck!
crazylilflip 9 months ago in playlist Percussion Scholarship Group
are you using burton's grip?
MrRidhard 11 months ago
@MrRidhard Yup.
crazylilflip 11 months ago
I have watched a ton of videos on this piece and I really like your interpretation, especially in the beginning half. Just thought i would let you know!
Quadtones4 1 year ago
use to heavier mallets with more yarn. That aside you dynamics (minus accents/non-accented notes), tempo, notes where learned very well. I think if some just put a nice pair of lush heavy soft corps masters your hands this piece would be alot easier to listen to.
xtwotheesee 1 year ago
is the marimba high enough for you, I also suggest a litter touch or softer mallets because it almost as if durring the reprise/non-robato version of the intro the soprano voice is slam on top of the accomp. and the written accents also come accross as slams...omg this piece would sound some much better if your mallets britle and it didn't feel like you where taking a solo piece of literature to use as an accent to tap exercise. I mean play as loud as you want, within reason, but
xtwotheesee 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
ummmm yeah. there's a tempo marked....
proman2world 1 year ago
ummmm yeah. there's a tempo marked....
proman2world 1 year ago
What kind of mallets are you using?
magicDRUMM3Rboy 1 year ago
@magicDRUMM3Rboy I was using MarimbaOne DHB1's but When I last played this piece I used DHB3's since the 1's seemed a little to harsh.
-John
crazylilflip 1 year ago
Played very well, but I agree that it is played a little too fast for my taste. When I played it back in high school I brought out the majesty of this piece a little more by slowing it down. Not knocking on this interpretation though because it was well done.
TerminaterChick 1 year ago
WAYYYYY to fast..
proman2world 1 year ago
I liked this faster interpretation. Its a nice contrast to the other slower interpretations that seem to drag on at certain parts
aljaesson 1 year ago
hmmm how old are you
lyokohero 1 year ago
@lyokohero I was 14 when this was recorded. I am now 17
crazylilflip 1 year ago
i just got this solo!
i can play it OK up until the 13 page. But i think it looks worse than it will actuality be to play
KingKhronic 1 year ago
This is toooooooooo fast and harsh, I feel for the marimba keys, you have the emotion you just need to relax and maybe go with some softer mallets.
TheBluman1 1 year ago
@TheBluman1 maby some softer mallets but hes not too fast acording to what smadbeck wrote
KingKhronic 1 year ago
Very nice!!!
BarbaraLindqvist 1 year ago
Oh wow :D
NotJustAnyNarWhal 1 year ago
I disagree, I don't think this should really be a power piece. In my opinion, you should play this down tempo and concentrate on much more artistry and keeping a consistent tempo. Playing right notes isn't hard, playing music is.
pheonixes5 1 year ago
I actually dont mind this faster version, when most people play fast on virginia tate it tends to sound really messy. You did a very good job playing it fast though, it sound way cleaner then most people who do play it fast. ;DDD
uhhnick 2 years ago
Magnificent...
tteague113 2 years ago
can i play this on 4 octaves marimba?????????
tota2435 2 years ago
@tota2435
It's really meant for a 5 octave marimba because of the bass notes. However, you can play the whole piece up an octave if you want to play it on a 4 octave (I do this when I'm practicing at home because I do not have a 5 octave marimba)..
crazylilflip 2 years ago
Hi, I'm playing this for solo & ensemble and I was wondering if you had any advice. Thank You!
Alex
supergonzomna 2 years ago
For the very beginning just be flowing & think of it as a mini cadenza. During the part where the beginnign section repeats, start playing in time. In the middle section, anticipate the double stops so that you can easily hit them & then get back to the bass. Keep the music flowing because that's what adds the whole effect to the piece. In the slow and flowing part, again think of it as a cadenza. In the end, start slow & then speed up & diminuendo until the last note is almost inaudible.
-John
crazylilflip 2 years ago
Can you tell me the year this piece was composed? I know its copyright is 99 but I need a composition date? Many thanks,
Tim
TimoPalm 2 years ago
Hi Tim,
I wish I could help. My original copy shows the 1999 date as a copyright date. I know that Smadbeck returned to composing in the late 80's but I can't find an exact composition date. Sorry!
lyricperctimp 2 years ago
@TimoPalm the first composition of this piece was in 1995. he made later revisions until it became what is now the published version. regrettably I dont know the date he finished but I know he started in 1995. I dont know if that helps or not. sorry if it doesnt
littledrummerboy5678 1 year ago
@TimoPalm the original composition was completed in 1995, however he made revisions until it became what is now the published version. I do not know the date he finished those revisions. Hope that helps. sorry if it doesnt
littledrummerboy5678 1 year ago
tell me youre using burton
Strudel225 2 years ago
Holý goodness
You're amazing!
And you're my age I think
My friend met you at interlochen
If I'm not mistaken
Strudel225 2 years ago
wow you play very high up! and you still get a pretty good sound out of your playing too, but do you think that lowering the marimba could help get a more full sound out of your strokes?
pimponthetimps 2 years ago
what kind of mallets are you using here?
jkeene4prez 2 years ago
I was using the Marimba One DHB 1's But I've changed my mallets to Marimba One DHB 3's
crazylilflip 2 years ago
okay thanks, man!
I am playing this piece this semester for my jury. I really enjoy it!
jkeene4prez 2 years ago
extremely well done! Bravo!
jkeene4prez 2 years ago
i'mma percussionist , i play using Burton grip
after i saw you playing this sooooooooooo good i'll take it in my next semester exam.
congratulations. well done.
tota2435 2 years ago
i really like this song. i think i would be interested in playing but i cant tell how difficult it would be.
any advice?
Drak363 2 years ago
My advice would be to give it a try!
nothing ventured, nothing gained. Start slow, take your time, and work it out--have fun!!
lyricperctimp 2 years ago
you played everything every well. this is a pretty hard solo to play. the only thing I would have liked better is if you slowed the tempo down at a few parts. tempo is always a hard part of music master. overall...well done!
DCIDRUMMER22 3 years ago
you rock in this video!!!!!
i love your play!!!!
now i love this song because of your excellent performance= 目
FANTASTIC!!!!!! XDDDD
opmdlrzles219 3 years ago
hi bro, are you playing with burton?
chevito7 3 years ago
Hey, I'm the person in the video, and yes I'm playing with the Burton grip.
crazylilflip 3 years ago
wow, you have a nice control over it, i´m playing the same song but with stevens, congratulations, you play the song very good
chevito7 3 years ago
wow you use burton? i'm no longer a percussionist (cellist now) but when i did play w/ four mallets, i used stevens grip and burton was impossible for me except for vibraphone. excellent control!!!
aznmusicmaster 3 years ago
Either the marimba is too high up, or you are crouching down in a way that makes it look like the marimba is raised too high. Just an observation. Sounds good; very fast, probably one of the fastest recordings of it I've heard.
mrimbaone2012 3 years ago
you should definitely submit a recording to "from the top"- you'd definitely get on that show.
aznmusicmaster 3 years ago
you did do a pretty good job at hitting the right notes though
percussionguy101 3 years ago
I think you are playing way too fast.. you need to slow it down and interpret it better. If you want to hear a good good recording of listen to she-e wu
percussionguy101 3 years ago
I've heard some world-renowned musicians play this piece and it's never been so fast. Not sure that's how Mr. Smadbeck wanted it played, but you sure have a bright future ahead of you. Eastman needs you up in New York.
Childsd 3 years ago
woooow
i know one measure of this song
and it took me a while to get
you are so incredibly talented!
i wish i will be as good as you are one day...
y0emsarah 3 years ago
John is really amazing in this piece. I have listened to it over 75 times at least 5 times a day. This piece is so cool because the feeling just jumps right at you and you cant get away from it. I love this.
crazymonkey9696 3 years ago
John is pretty amazing.
TheMalletsKid 3 years ago