Episode #12: Video Blog, 1/6/11

Christopher Wilson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:47:48 +0000

Here is a new video blog. It follows me around my hometown (Mediapolis, IA) as I give clinics and performances at the school.

Episode #11: Utilizing Leigh Howard Stevens’ “Method of Movement”

Christopher Wilson — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 04:18:58 +0000

This episode is an extension of the following Marimba Blog Post:
http://wilsonmarimba.blogspot.com/2010/11/method-books-and-marimbists-who-love.html

In these videos I further discuss how I use Leigh Howard Stevens’ “Method of Movement,” specifically finding exercises to isolated technical deficiencies.

You can also find that article on Drumchattr.com:
http://drumchattr.com/?p=1276

Episode #10: Marimba choreography

Christopher Wilson — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:13:41 +0000

In this video I dissect some of the problems concerning the piece Prelude III by Robert McClure. I discuss how some extremely fast motions need to be practiced in an isolated fashion up to tempo, and then move on to the idea of choreographing the movement of your lower body while practicing.

Episode #9: Video Blog, 11/11/10

Christopher Wilson — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:38:48 +0000

This new episode really explains itself. With the new website I feel that I should be recording on a more consistent basis. So, not every episode will be a long lecture. Some episodes will be video blogs, like this one that I filmed yesterday. In this video I discuss the advantages of using an Adams marimba, and show myself hauling equipment to and preparing for a gig.

Episode #8: Practicing Habits with Cangelosi’s “Prelude in F Minor”

Christopher Wilson — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:41:20 +0000

Today is the unveiling of not only the new MPP website, but a new (and more professional) intro to the MPP videos. This week’s video is much shorter than normal, because I tried to make an attempt to be more concise. (you may notice I cut myself off at the very end of the video… I was starting to ramble). In this video I discuss practice habits, which can make or break how well you learn a piece of music. For this video I discussed playing block chords while practicing Casey Cangelosi’s “Prelude in F Minor.”

For good measure, here’s my performance of that Prelude:

Episode #7: Performing “Dance” Music

Christopher Wilson — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:35:31 +0000

In this week’s episode I discuss the art of composers using some sort of dance form in their compositions (ie: Baroque suites, Chopin’s Polish dances, etc.) I then relate them to today’s composers writing “poppy” or rock based compositions for the marimba, and how we can attempt to play them in a more “classical” style.

Here is my performance of “Nancy:”

Episode #6: Performing Chorales

Christopher Wilson — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:33:21 +0000

Here is the big and beefy new MPP. Most of my videos thus far have been directed towards composers, and now I’m going to turn my direction to percussionists (especially those new to the marimba). In this episode I discuss how to make a rolled chorale lush and resonant… which is trickier than it seems! As you can see, I ran a little long. The first video covers the intro and mallet selection. Video number two covers leading hands, bringing out the melody, and begins talking about roll speeds. Number three finishes roll speeds and moves on to slowing everything down, using rubato, etc. Hope these help all of you young percussionists!

Episode 5: Physical Limitations Part 2

Christopher Wilson — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:27:11 +0000

Today I’m going to continue the topic of the last episode: Physical Limitations. In these videos I cover ideas such as chord angles (again), large leaps, and wide mallet spreads.

Episode 4: Physical Limitations

Christopher Wilson — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:24:38 +0000

Today’s MPP is also a Collaborative Process Blog. Maybe I need a clever name for when the two cross paths. Anyway, Brian sent a three-parter, and I started to answer this question on this video:

“Talk about the physical limitations of the marimba, beyond the width of the instrument.”

I start off with defining physical limitations, and what Brian means by the width being a physical limitation. Then, I move on to my first thought on the subject, and that is angles when playing chords.

Episode #3: 2 Mallets vs. 4 & Using Graduated Mallets

Christopher Wilson — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:21:58 +0000

Whoa, sorry for the long title. This episode goes on a few very long tangents, and covers a lot of ground. It references the following Collaborative Process Blog:

wilsonmarimba.blogspot.com/2010/05/collaborative-process-mallets.html

Another apology: the audio file was very quiet, so I had to do some work to make it louder. That’s why the marimba sounds a bit odd at times.