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Gordon Stout
once told me that the best way to overcome a specific technical problem
was to write an etude for it. By focusing on a particular pattern,
I could make it my own and turn a weakness into a strength. So over the years
I’ve written a number of short studies addressing the various challenges
I faced when dealing with advanced marimba music. Each one focuses on a technical
issue or musical concept, either lifted from someone else’s piece or
from my own explorations.
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following works are available for purchase: The Chautauqua Etudes: Series One The Chautauqua Etudes combine various marimba techniques (one-hand octaves, lateral stickings, melody and accompaniment, among others) with both chordal and freeform improvisation. Each work is written in a different musical style and form, creating a range of technical challenges for the performers. While the bass and drumset parts provide a musical framework for the marimba, the rhythm section is challenged and has solo opportunities, as well. Not exactly classical ––– not exactly jazz, these unusual tunes are as original, and as free of cliche as possible. I've posted up Quicktime samples so you can hear these works, as well as view the scores. Get Quicktime.
Art Song combines hand-to-hand and lateral-sticking melodies with odd-time Jazz. There are chord changes to solo over and an open cadenza where the marimbist can make an original contribution to the music.
This elegant, melodic work is unique in the marimba repertoire. Attendance to Ritual blends one-hand octaves and lateral stickings with improvisation, resulting in music with both a classical esthetic and creative opportunities.
Fantasy for L 5 is an odd-time funk tune, more or less. It's sort of a manic Freedom Jazz Dance, only in 7/4. There are lots of tricky stickings for the marimbist and plenty of solo options for each player to make their mark on the music.
Mozambique evolved from my explorations of the North American version of this rhythm (not the Cuban, which is entirely different). It is more accessible harmonically and easier technically than some of the other etudes, but is still an excellent recital piece and a good choice for marimbists interested in improving their improvisational skills
Soca is a stylization of the Trinidadian rhythm. The melody can be played with two or four mallets and is suitable for vibraphone, as well. Its flexible roadmap and modal harmonies allow for a variety of improvisation schemes and possibilities for all the performers. click here to order ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
click here to order ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Graven
Image Graven Image combines chorale technique with lateral-sticking patterns in an additive meter work similar to a crazed Musser etude. This showy recital piece challenges the performer both technically and musically while taking advantage of the inherent strengths that make the marimba such a beautiful instrument. click here to order ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Little Jazz
click here to order ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Greg
Latta
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Marimba
Music
