How to Develop EVERY 4 Mallet Marimba Technique

this was a lot of fun to make. i think its the most music i've ever written down in a day. almost 400 measures in total. it is my greatest hope that my students will find utility in this video.

a bit of pedagogy:
setup systems that synergistically self regulate
self actualization then community actualization then cultural perpetuity
dependence then independence then interdependence
teach in a way that allows others to effortlessly enjoy the activity
feel connected to history
the best instructor shuts up and gives the correct reps
far reaching vision and present emotional regulation
every student is always trying. everyone wants to be great.

more pragmatic pedagogy
sound quality, technique, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, connection
additive only, no negative comments.
the lesson is the rep with an intent, note the words you say in between reps
imma say that again: teach with reps + concisely articulated purpose of rep, please don't regularly monologue
sing before you play.
if you can play in a smaller chunk to increase quality, do it
if the first bar isn't perfect, cut the rep.

i think one of the greatest take aways from this video was the importance of variation. we as teachers must always meet the students where they are at. we must come ready to calibrate to each individual's development, the groups development and meet everyone where they are at. its important to know what are the fundamental building blocks for the instrument's technique, double vertical, single independent, single alternating, the 4 laterals, one handed roll, interval changes but also what relevant musical concepts should accompany this development: scales, intervals, triads, voicing, 7th chords, extended harmony, rhythmic values, pentatonics, dynamics, resonance, reading, transcription, and most importantly singing (our voice being our first instrument)... i digress. this is to say we as teachers must be consistently creative in serving our students a meal that they are most ready to absorb. and to furthermore optimize the number of educational cycles that can be induced in a given instructional period.

it is good to write so much. helps settle the mind.

anyways. make sure you're doing singing reps.

hope you enjoy

Recorded, Transcribed, and Edited 11/16/2023

0:09 Double Verticals
3:04 Octaves
3:54 Single Independent/Alternating
8:48 One Handed Rolls
10:19 Inside Two
12:23 Laterals
13:34 Multi-techniques (Broccolis)