In today’s vast musically expanding world musicians are striving for new and innovative ways of playing their instruments. The marimba has been the main instrument of choice by many percussionists around the world and has been in the focus of innovators for the last 50 years since the establishment of the marimba as a solo instrument. Nowadays, there are many different styles of playing the marimba that bring a new perspective on our instrument but somehow none of them explore the complete acoustic possibilities. “The New Marimba Branch” is a project meant to lift up the veil of already acknowledged marimba methods and reveal a new way of looking into and playing marimba music.
Through extensive acoustic experiments I have found out that the marimba can offer much more timbre differences that can influence performers to craft their music in a more colorful and contrasting way. The final result of this project is a “tool box” which marimba players can use for every occasion. On the other hand, the conclusions of this research are not only important for marimba performers and educators, but as well could help composers and arrangers to have a better insight in what we and our instrument could offer.
“The New Marimba Branch Tool Box” methodical guide/manual is a document representing the outcome of acoustic experimentation on the marimba and contains instructions for execution combined with specific background information on the properties of the instrument.
The "Tool Box" and my experience as a teacher and a performer with a great affinity to the natural distribution of sound create the foundation for my method and teaching.
Through extensive acoustic experiments I have found out that the marimba can offer much more timbre differences that can influence performers to craft their music in a more colorful and contrasting way. The final result of this project is a “tool box” which marimba players can use for every occasion. On the other hand, the conclusions of this research are not only important for marimba performers and educators, but as well could help composers and arrangers to have a better insight in what we and our instrument could offer.
“The New Marimba Branch Tool Box” methodical guide/manual is a document representing the outcome of acoustic experimentation on the marimba and contains instructions for execution combined with specific background information on the properties of the instrument.
The "Tool Box" and my experience as a teacher and a performer with a great affinity to the natural distribution of sound create the foundation for my method and teaching.
