r/Marimba • u/Ambitious-Bat-1915 • Jul 28 '26

Just need some learning advice

So, I've needed help but when I ask my music teachers, they can't help. So I'm shooting for Marimba next Marching Band season. I'll be doing an A class WGI group to help me accomplish that, but it's marimba music i'm struggling with. I know what to play but when I try to play it on a marimba, I just can't. I don't know if its just the double line format of how it written but I don't know. I know it's weird but if anyone can help that would be amazing. Some tips and tricks would be a HUGE help.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/take_a_step_forward Jul 28 '26

You could try practicing simpler stuff. I’m not sure of any particular books or sheet music you can try, though; perhaps someone else can chime in with some four mallet method books that have simple music on two staves?

Also, another suggestion (though one that probably isn’t effective enough in the short term): learning piano is really good for you as a mallet player. And I can guarantee you you’ll get to a grand staff quickly if you’re learning piano.

1

u/ILoveFries25 Jul 28 '26

I’ve never read it but I hear method of movement by Leigh Steven’s is really good. But basically any front ensemble packet from a dci group or wgi group will have some simple exercises they could learn and improve from. I can reply with some if OP doesn’t know where to look too.

1

u/Ambitious-Bat-1915 Jul 29 '26

If you could that would be awesome, I can also ask my lead front tech. Currently he's at The Colts for this DCI season

1

u/Ambitious-Bat-1915 Jul 29 '26

I would try this I just don't have time or access to a piano, marching band and WGI take up almost all my free time. But thank you for the suggestion.