Does practice make perfect? Yes! I would say practice absolutely makes perfect. 😊
I regularly have to study a number of new works in a short period of time for upcoming concerts. I understand how important the effect of practising is. Here, I would like to share my practice routine with you.
- Text reading
In the very beginning, I slowly read the notes and analyse the music. If the notes are too complicated, I will read and play it on a piano to get an initial idea and understanding of the music. - Memorize the notes
After I have a rough idea of the music, I will try to memorise the notes, playing them very slowly while using a metronome. - Practise both hands separately
I like practising each hand separately while I’m in the beginning stages of learning a new piece. In Chinese, we often say, “learn to walk before you run”. The same can be applied to 4-mallet marimba playing. Begin by playing the music with separate hands whilst focusing on playing each note accurately in each individual hand. Once I feel comfortable, I will then try to play with both hands together, slowly. (Maybe I could say, “Begin by playing the music with one hand at a time whilst focusing on playing every note accurately in each individual hand.” - Analyse and solidify your technique
The technical elements need to be practiced in both hands until an articulated control of each mallet is obtained. You might face a lot of technical difficulties, for example with your grip, stroke, sticking, accuracy, hand and finger independence, dynamics and so on. It is important to realise where the problems are, then try patiently and consciously to solve them as well as to try voicing in specific mallets. - Add stroke movements
In marimba playing, there are many different strokes, e.g., delayed stroke, full stroke, damping stroke, dead stroke, etc. Those different strokes are the important tools to make the music much more interesting while showing diversity. Think about what feeling you want to express and which marimba sound you want to produce, then try to implant the right stroke to obtain it. - Clear out musical direction
After the stroke movements are added, try removing any further musical direction, such as measures, groove, effect strokes, phrasing, and so on. In the next step, it will be important to keep repeating the phrase or the fragments slowly until the measure or phrase has a controlled groove, musical phrasing and desired interpretation. - Sing the musical score
Singing the melodies and rhythmic grooves will be a useful step in shaping the musical interpretation and sonorous output. - Add body movement
In my lower body, I want to make sure my legs and knees are flexible in order to move smoothly and to gain a more clear and open sound along with musical phrasing. In my upper body, I combine my arm and wrist movements to produce the ultimate results on the sonorous, visual and physical levels. - Study repeated sections and phrases
Practise repeatedly and slowly with concentration. Do not practise mindlessly, with a kind of automatic habit. Practise the difficult and imperfect fragments and make sure you use self-evaluation.
Keys for effective practice
- Confidence is only built by playing it correctly each time. (This is why we practice slowly.)
- Clear goals, (musically and technically), should be set before every practice time. (Think before you hold the mallets and hit the bar.)