BOOKS: Mallet Methods and Keyboard Percussion Performance Collections

The purpose of this edition is to provide the working percussionist with a collection of Christmas
carols, all of which are concert worthy. Appropriate for a variety of settings, these pieces can be performed as solos, duets, or with any larger number of players. Great care was taken to maintain the integrity and character of each piece. Various techniques for two and four mallets are incorporated, as well as many different styles of music from around the world. The order of the pieces as it is, can work well for a concert program. The performer should feel free to improvise his/her own ideas when musically relevant. Some pieces were arranged for a four-and-a-half octave marimba, and will need to be transposed up an octave, or into another key to be used on a smaller marimba. Reference CD included.
high school/college.

More Christmas/Holiday titles.   

Insansa Christmas - CD

Price: $29.95

Festive collection of eight titles for the holiday season. The arrangements in this collection are all part of a genre known as VILLANCICO. This is the Spanish label for a traditional popular song. Originating in medieval Spain this musical style often included dance rhythms,
and it subsequently became very popular in
Latin America.
The term now frequently refers to Christmas songs. 
Arranged for
three players on one
4 1/3-octave marimba. 
high school/college.

THIS collection contains a series of selected transcriptions from some of Gary’s many recordings, useful for analysing his solos, understanding their logic and functionality to finally get closer to the style, phrasing and instinct of one of the jazz milestones of all times. While these are transcriptions from a vibraphonist these solos are extremely useful to musicians of any instrument, from trumpet to guitar, from saxophone to any string instrument.  THIS collection is a small tribute to a great musician, an exemplary improviser and in my opinion, the greatest vibraphone virtuoso.” Thank you Gary . . . . Giacomo Riggi

A substantial collection of etudes that covers a wide range of musical styles, (addressing various difficulty levels, tempi, keys, and performance challenges) for the contemporary vibist! This volume can be effectively utilized in a number of ways: as a method for the progressive development of mallet skills, as supplemental reading material, or as a source of performance pieces for auditions or contest scenarios. Beginners to advanced players will find much worthwhile study and performance material in this one! [Includes demo CD of selected etudes]

Adapted from the songs of Astor Piazzolla, Morleo has arranged the titles in this collection to be readily accessible to the intermediate or advanced vibraphonist. From a technical standpoint, the titles in this collection require four mallets and also employ contemporary techniques such as mallet dampening and "dead strokes." From a listener's standpoint, the rich melodies and harmonic materials of these "tangos" should be readily received! adv. high school/college.

A great recital collection for solo vibraphone - intermediate/advanced performer - technically challenging, yet audience friendly!

Three solos in different musical styles.

1. Soaring in the Sky
ca. 5',

2. Liberatorium
ca. 3' 53" 

3. Alteratorium
ca. 3' 26"
adv. high school/college.

Challenging collection of solos for vibraphone,
combining contemporary performance techniques
with rich harmonic and melodic content.
These solos would make a great choice for both study and recital performances!

Price: $32.95 w/CD

Four Seasons - a set of challenging concert pieces which can be played as individual movements or as a unified "suite.". The compositions are equally suited for ambitious students of all ages up to the conservatory level,
and professional musicians.
The musical spectrum of the pieces extends from the meditative mood of "Winter Song" to the pulsating rhythms of "Summer." Performers and audiences will appreciate this expressive music. The play-along CD presents the pieces as they would be performed on both instruments, as well as offering practice-tracks with the "other" instrument.

A collection of charming Latin tunes for the marimba soloist - all require four-mallets and some can be played with small percussion instruments as accompaniment. Titles: Perfume De Gardenias, Natalia, Yacambú,
¡No Me Toques!, Almendra and Misionera.
A CD is included with performances by Cotto. adv. high school/college.

Challenging, yet accessible audience friendly collection of six titles for solo marimba. Two titles are scored for two mallets while the other four require intermediate/advanced four-mallet technique. This collection would work well as a "concert suite" or titles could be played separately for recitals, contests, etc. Requires 4 1/3-octave marimba. adv. high school/college.
SEE ALSO:
PRISMS for B-Flat Clarinet and Marimba
and
PRISMS for Flute and Marimba.

A collection of ten catchy titles arranged for marimba trio - 3 players on one instrument!  Viable for percussion ensemble concerts - or any festive occasion! 

Performance Notes

Collection of accessible duets in a variety of musical styles - featuring easy classical melodies, to grooving Latin music, to Jazz/Blues, to minimalism, while leaving room for improvisation. Creative illustrations enhance the book's layout and younger players will find it entertaining as well as educational!  Play-a-long recordings add additional viability to this well conceived collection for
beginning to intermediate level performers.

112 pp. w/CD
Text: English/German

Sound Samples:
Little Waltz 
Bagatelle

THIS collection of etudes is intended for marimbists at all performance levels - beginner through graduate student, the book offers approaches and challenges appropriate for any student of the marimba. The initial etudes, such as Gentle Angles, are accessible to a novice marimba player, whereas the final etudes will challenge accomplished performers.

EACH etude is preceded by a description of the primary technical and musical issues to be encountered, as well as suggested exercise progressions which will assist in preparation of the etude. In addition, the etudes are purposefully brief, to assist memorization and accessibility. However, much care was taken to make each etude a complete composition in its own right.

THIS book may be used effectively in conjunction with/or as a supplement to numerous mallet texts, including Leigh Steven's Method of Movement,
as well as Luigi Morleo's
120 Progressive Four-Mallet Studies for Marimba
and
60 Advanced Four-Mallet Studies for Marimba.

Great collection of musical etudes that will enhance any performer’s four-mallet technique. This book can stand alone as a four-mallet text for those students just beginning four-mallet studies, or it can be utilized in conjunction with other methods for more advanced players. Each section focuses on a particular
"stroke type" (Double Vertical,
Single Independent,
Single Alternating, et al).
A very worthwhile addition
to currently available pedagogical materials.
 
SEE ALSO:
MARIMBA-SYNTHESIS
and
60 Advanced Four-Mallet
 Studies for Marimba.

SEE ALSO:

Sacred and
Holiday Music
for
Percussion
 
Marimba Solos

Vibraphone Solos

Marimba/Vibraphone Duets

~

A collection of six easy Ragtime Xylophone solos (1897-1909).
Each can be played with piano accompaniment, or as a percussion trio - xylophone soloist with two players on marimba providing accompaniment
(4 1/3-octave).
Both the solos and the marimba accompaniments are scored so that players utilize two mallets.
A CD is included which offers the piano parts to each Rag at three different tempi, allowing the soloist great flexibility for practice.
This collection gives younger players as well as more experienced players a variety of enjoyable practice and performance options.

Sound Sample:
Black and White Rag

The second volume of easy Ragtime solos
(1897-1909).
Each can be played with piano accompaniment, or as a percussion trio - xylophone soloist with two players on marimba providing accompaniment
(4 1/3-octave).
Both the solos and the marimba accompaniments are scored so that players utilize two mallets.
A CD is included which offers the piano parts to each Rag at three different tempi, allowing the soloist great flexibility for practice.
This collection gives younger players as well as more experienced players a variety of enjoyable practice and performance options.

A collection of studies or "operations" for the intermediate level mallet player. These operations are intended to be utilized in conjunction
with other scale exercises and concert repertoire, as part of a complete musical development. Each operation focuses on two or three "stroke types" as defined in Method of Movement for Marimba/L. H. Stevens. As such, the operations were written particularly with "Stevens" technique in mind - addressing various stroke types:
Double Vertical,
Single Independent, Single Alternating
and so on.

Originally written for guitars, these easy duets have been adapted for two players on one marimba -
4 1/3-octave.
Players utilize two mallets each, readily accessible to younger players, enjoyable to play and audience friendly as well.

Sound Sample:
Six Easy Waltzes
Opus 44b, No.3

Morleo’s second volume of challenging studies completes
his comprehensive offering for
the development of four-mallet technique. These studies are
well crafted pedagogical materials which offer a systematic approach to various performance problems
on the marimba. This volume addresses various keys, modes
and contemporary compositional techniques.
Utilizing "stroke types" (Double Vertical, Single Independent, etc.) as defined in
"Method of Movement for Marimba"/L. H. Stevens, this
volume addresses various keys, modes and contemporary compositional techniques in a unique manner that will challenge intermediate to advanced level performers. [138 pages]

SEE ALSO:
120 Progressive Four-Mallet
Studies for Marimba

and
MARIMBA-SYNTHESIS.

A collection of 85 traditional 2-mallet pieces for study, performance or sight-reading. This collection would be viable as either a basic method book or as a supplement to other mallet methods. Requires a 4-octave marimba, most pieces can also be played on xylophone and/or vibraphone. A great collection for recital, jury or contest selections!

 This unique collection of nine titles features corridos of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). They have been adapted from this vocal repertoire for 3 players on one 4-octave marimba.
high school/college.

Price: $19.95

A very appealing and meticulous arrangement
for the accomplished vibist! This suite
(originally in E minor) consists of six movements, each of very different character with unique opportunities and challenges for the performer (four-mallets). Appropriate for recitals, sacred settings, weddings, etc. adv. high school/college. Includes reference CD.