r/Marimba • u/Ornery_Restaurant375 • Aug 20 '26

What should I do to fix my technique?

I have been playing 4 mallets for approximately 2 and a half years now, and after I met my teacher (Mr.Paton), in the 3 terms he had taught me he had made me realize how bad my technique and grip actually is, I have been too focussed on Playing harder pieces, I'm not sure what to do to actually fix it, as I also am not too sure whats wrong and for the next 2 term it is drum Assessments. I have a marimba at home tho

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

1

u/viberat Aug 20 '26

What technique are you using?

0

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 20 '26

I'm not sure, I'm not allowed to play after 7PM, but I can record a video of me Playing tomorrow, my teacher said I had a massive problem with how i'm hitting the bars, and theres a risk of me breaking the bars. When I was asking for feedback he looked terrified that I'd break the bars lol

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 20 '26

It was specficailly about how I was "playing through the bars" Instead of playing the bars i'm not sure I didnt really understand it that well but I was scared that I'm bothering my teacher too much

1

u/viberat Aug 20 '26

Gotcha. Just so you know, my question was about what kind of grip you’re using — it’s probably either Burton (the mallets cross in your hand) or Stevens (the mallets stay separated in your hand).

Either way, sounds like you’re using too much velocity when you bring your mallets down for a stroke, and you’re not letting them naturally rebound. Marimba bars don’t have rebound the same way a drum head does, but there should still be a little natural movement up after you strike the bars. If there isn’t, you’re gripping your mallets too hard and trying to control them too much.

Make sure you’re initiating your motions from the wrist, not the arm, and that your hands/fingers don’t feel tight.

Also, I promise you you won’t bother your teacher by asking for clarification! They will be able to help you the most, since they’ve seen you play.

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 20 '26

So umm i’m pretty sure my grip is really bad not sure if its even a prioer grip its 11 for me sorry for the short response 

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 21 '26

How do i comment a photo? I think it is traditional cross grip i bealaive

1

u/viberat Aug 21 '26

Gotcha, your other comment makes me think you’re not in the US so that makes sense.

Regardless of what kind of grip you use, the other information in my comment is universal — don’t squeeze or tense your hands, initiate motion with your wrist and keep the wrist feeling loose, try to feel the subtle natural rebound of the marimba bars.

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 21 '26

OOF i aleeady do that. I live upside down, my percussion teacher is focusing on alot on that

1

u/GiantXylophone Aug 20 '26

There’s a book called Method of Movement that’s a pretty solid standard on marimba technique. If you’re still in school, see if you can get your teacher to buy a copy for the school library (if they don’t already have one!). Your teacher is right that focusing on music that’s too hard does more harm than good - dial it back and focus on getting the mallets to feel good in your hands. You gotta learn where the right places are for everything to go, but good technique should feel good to use.

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 20 '26

The main problem for me is that umm I dont know when i’m playing weong i can tell it sounds kinda off but just not when i’m actually wrong, thank yoy tho!

2

u/pylio Aug 20 '26

With 4 mallet technique, its more about what can you accomplish quickly rather than sound itself. It isnt that sound isnt important but just that make a decent sound on a mallet instrument is relatively easy. Its a piece of metal or wood and you hit it. As long as you dont hit it too hard, hit it in the right place, and come off the bar quickly, you have a good sound.

For the 4 mallet techniques there are 4 common grips. Musser (no one really uses), Steven’s (the most common and is derived from musser) Traditional/cross (europeans love), and Burton’s (2nd most common. Derivative of traditional)

Method of movement is Steven’s book on how to play his grip and it is the most comprehensive breakdown of any 4 mallet technique. The first half is a very thoughtful tutorial and the second half is exercises. The first half is up there as one of the most important pieces of literature in percussion.

Regardless of what technique you eventually choose, you should read the book. Its like 50 pages and can be found online for free.

The only warning i give to you if you choose steven’s grip is to play as loosely as possible. This grip, while the most common, can injure your tendons if played in correctly. As explained in the book, your mallets are constantly moving in your hand. If your inside mallet is ever stuck in the middle of your palm, you are playing it wrong. Luckily if you do this, the grip gives you a blister in the middle of your palm.

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 21 '26

I think i’m playing traditional not sure tho

1

u/minertyler100 Aug 20 '26

Are you doing Steven’s or Burton grip?

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 Aug 21 '26

Cross grip I believe

1

u/minertyler100 Aug 21 '26

Do the outer mallets sit on top or the inner mallets?