Marimba Playing Techniques and Grips

This video series, led by David Skidmore, provides a comprehensive guide to playing four-mallet marimba music. It covers essential techniques such as the Stevens, Burton, and traditional grips, along with proper posture and instrument setup. The series is designed to accompany a book of lessons and etudes, offering exercises suitable for various marimba sizes. The video emphasizes the importance of grip choice, posture, and instrument height for effective learning and performance.

What is the primary focus of this video series?

• Learning to play the piano

• Learning to play four mallet marimba music

• Learning to play the guitar

• Learning to play the violin

Which grip is also known as the modified Musser grip?

• Stevens grip

• French grip

• Traditional grip

• Burton grip

Which grip is recommended for those without a private or classroom percussion teacher?

• Traditional grip

• Burton grip

• Stevens grip

• French grip

Where should the outside mallet rest in the Stevens grip?

• Between the pinky and ring finger

• Between the ring finger and middle finger

• Between the thumb and first finger

• Between the middle finger and index finger

What is the main advantage of the Stevens grip?

• It is the easiest to learn

• It provides a lot of control over dynamics and phrasing

• It is the most popular grip in Europe

• It is the most stable grip

Which famous jazz vibraphone player is the Burton grip named after?

• Gary Burton

• Lee Howard Stevens

• Peter Martin

• Manora Miki

In the Burton grip, how are the mallets positioned in the hand?

• The outside mallet is below the inside mallet

• The outside mallet is on top of the inside mallet

• Both mallets are held parallel

• The mallets are held perpendicular to each other

What is the first step in setting up the marimba to an appropriate height?

• Leaning forward

• Taking a couple of steps back from the instrument

• Adjusting the mallets

• Standing on a stool

How should your feet be positioned while playing the marimba?

• Crossed

• Close together

• One foot in front of the other

• Shoulder width apart or a little wider

What type of step should you take when moving from one register to another on the marimba?

• A slide

• A leap

• A shuffle step

• A hop