Improving Note Accuracy and Tone Consistency on Marimba Through the Practice of Four-Mallet Chorales
Author
McLean, Kendra RachelleIssue Date
2015Advisor
Weinberg, Norman
Metadata
Show full item recordPublisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Chorale settings for marimba can be used in conjunction with traditional pedagogical exercises to improve mallet placement precision by increasing a marimbist's kinesthetic awareness and knowledge of interval spacing and the marimba keyboard layout. These improvements will lead to greater note accuracy and consistency of tone. Chorales are an excellent tool for improving marimba performance because of their combination of repetitive vertical movement and slow horizontal movement, which gives the marimbist time to isolate and improve specific areas of technique, including mallet placement. Mallet placement precision on marimba includes striking the correct bars for note accuracy and striking a precise chosen location on each bar for tone consistency. This document includes a guide for improving mallet placement through the focused practice of chorale excerpts from seven original compositions for marimba. Appendix A of this document lists chorales recommended for use as practicing material to improve marimba technique. This document is intended to assist intermediate and advanced marimbists in gaining a greater kinesthetic knowledge of interval spacing and the marimba keyboard layout through the practice of four-mallet chorales. The purpose of refining these areas of technique is to develop consistency in accurate, autonomic mallet placement, freeing the marimbist to focus on other elements of performance, including musical interpretation and expression.Type
textElectronic Dissertation
Degree Name
D.M.A.Degree Level
doctoralDegree Program
Graduate CollegeMusic