Things You'll Need:
- string mallets
- A marimba
- An exercise book with scales
- Optional: a metronome
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Step 1
String MalletsThe proper grip is very important on the marimba, and you will need to master it before you start playing. You will want to begin with a fist, wrapped around the stick. Make sure the top of your thumb is around the lower middle. When playing, keep your arms relaxed, out from your sides, and your elbows in front of your body. (Don’t over-extend your arm either, keep it close to your body.
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Step 2
After you feel comfortable with the correct mallet grip, you will need to start hitting the marimba. proper stroke is important, and you wont it to seem like your arm bounces off the key.
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Step 3
Next, you will want to learn the basics. These include the scales, such as C major (c-d-e-f-g-b-a-c), and how to sight read, which is reading notes off of a page and being able to play them. This skill is very difficult, and even some professionals have trouble mastering it.
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Step 4
Learn how to play simple pieces of music, such as Mary Had A Little Lamb, or other nursery songs. Continue practicing your scales and sight reading
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Step 5
Learn how to roll on the marimba. To do this, you simply hit the same key very fast, creating the illusion that it is one, continuous note. You may not be able to do this right away, but as your skill progresses, so will your speed.
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Step 6
Learn some more difficult pieces of music, such as Christmas carols, or other, more complicated songs if you feel you’re up to it.
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Step 7
4mallet gripLearn the 4 mallet grip. To do this will allow you to play faster pieces of music that may require 4 mallets to be used a once
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Step 8
Continue to work to improve your speed and skill on the marimba. As you progress, you will find that there are several different percussion mallet instruments your knowledge here will apply to, such as the xylophone, the vibraphone, and many others.
