User Manual

NEBOJSA JOVAN ZIVKOVIC 2
Yamaha Corporation of America • Band & Orchestral Division
3445 East Paris Ave., SE • P.O. Box 899 • Grand Rapids, MI 49518-0899
www.yamahapercussion.com
It is like knocking on a door very strongly by holding a hand two inches away
and not moving your forearm. I have selected several exercises from my mallet
technique book, which you may find useful for improving the techniques
mentioned above. Of course, along with these, you should also pick up some
pieces for marimba, vibes or xylophone that deal with one or more of these
technique issues. I recommend checking out my books Funny Marimba 1 or
Funny Vibraphone 2. Both of these European best sellers contain ten solo
pieces for 4 mallets ranging from the beginner to intermediate level.
EXERCISES
The following exercises will help you develop these techniques. They are
mostly targeting two or more technical problems at once. Some are also very
suitable for the concert artist when only a limited time is available to warm up.
Each exercise works only ONE mallet at a time, but you should however, hold
4 mallets when playing them. Transpose all exercises to each of the twelve
keys. The mallets are numbered 1-2-3-4 from left to right. Exercises 1 to 3
develop control of mallets 2 (inside left hand) and 4 (outside right hand).
Make sure to start out slow, then speed up with controlled motion. Think of
“power-kicks” and let the unused mallet hang freely while the performing
mallet is tight, strong and accurate. Note that you are practicing three different
motions of the mallet: a jumping zigzag, a smoothly curved line and a triple
stroke in a vertical motion. You will also notice how tricky it is to switch
unused mallets on and off for only one single stroke on the beginning of each
exercise. REMEMBER TO PLAY THE LEFT HAND.
Ex. 1
Ex. 2
Ex. 3
Here we have similar exercises, this time working on mallets 1 (outside left
hand) and 3 (inside right hand). Transpose them to all 12 keys, and keep the
strong and controlled “power-kick”.
Ex. 4
Ex. 5
Ex. 6
Make sure to strike all notes correctly, and be sure to feel that each mallet is under
control. Do not underestimate these exercises; they do have very useful
applications in a real performance situation. The following is “NJZ-ALL-IN”
exercise, which is one of my favorites. It contains single independent, alternating,
and double vertical strokes! Practice each hand separately and transpose it. Keep
at a forte level so you practice endurance and power at the same time. Start slow
and speed up to quarter note = 112. Good luck with this one.
Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic