Emily's Dream from  

Otaku - Thanks so much! Remember, just because you cannot play something today, does not mean you won’t play it in the future. Pace yourself, find a great teacher to guide you, practice every day and in time, good things will happen! Good luck!

Thanks so much Kayle! I'm glad you are enjoying Emily's Dream! It is one of my favorites too! You will be able to play this solo if you focus on one phrase at a time, learn the notes (in just 1 phrase - 4 or 8 measures), write in the stickings on the music, incorporate every detail on the music (articulation, tempo, dynamics, etc), develop exercises for the tricky spots, use a metronome, and record yourself often. Don't move to the 2nd phrase until you can play the first phrase with confidence and musicality. In time I will be listening to your recording of Emily's Dream! Work hard on your music and enjoy!

Some advice, I am playing this this year as a sophomore in my schools top band and I love this solo so much! I agree with you, I’ve had it on repeat but it takes forever to learn and I mean FOREVER! So if you want to play this I recommend starting super early because I didn’t and now I have solo contest on Friday and I can’t play pages 4 and 5. It’s also practically impossible to learn at home because all I have is a 3 octave and it calls for a 5 octave. It’s not that this solo is to hard for me but I just need another month to learn it. I started learning it at the very end of December and today is February 16th. Give yourself about 4 months to learn it and you should be golden. Like I said, I LOVE this solo and I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to play it for my solo contest because the parts that I do know is so good. but all that being said,I hope you can play this next year and that you make a one at your contest!!😊😊

@@loganwoods9503 - Thank you Logan, I hope I get to hear you play Emily’s Dream someday! Best wishes for your music!

Thank you Rob! Your comment made my day! I hope that you and yours have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

@@markfordmusic I didnt think you would notice. Forgive the language. The same to you and yours!

Thank you Carter! Maybe try "A Mother's Wish" or "Small Steps". Emily's Dream is longer and more involved and probably will not work on a 4.3 octave marimba.

Many thanks for this super comment! I'm very happy that you are enjoying #MarimbaBaby and that your playing is progressing. Keep working hard on your music and send me a video when you are ready. I look forward to it! Best wishes!

Swampfire - Wonderful!! Go slow and practice one section at a time. I hope that you will post a performance when you are ready! Enjoy!

Mark Ford will do! I’ll be auditioning to 4 colleges with it and will perform it live in November!

Swampfire - Excellent! Good luck! How about auditioning at UNT? 😉

Mark Ford Definitely considered it, but Professor Wu asked me to audition for a potential scholarship 😁

Thank you! I hope you are enjoying #MarimbaBaby! Please Mr. Dwyer my best! Keep working hard on your music, and good things will happen.

Analisa Alvarez - Thank you!! I’m glad you are enjoying Emily’s Dream! Good luck at Solo & Ensemble!

Thanks Hayden! I'm glad that you like it!

Spencer Perilloux - Thanks Spencer!!! And thank you for checking out #MarimbaBaby!

Thank you Alex! Those Bergerault marimbas sound and look amazing! Enjoy!

Thank you Javier!! All the best for your music!

Great! Start by learning just the opening section. Go slow and work just on this section until you feel comfortable. Then gradually move on to the next section. Good luck!

@@markfordmusic My copy of MarimbaBaby just came in, and I have started learning this solo. What mallets would you recommend for this solo? The page says the 821s, but in the video you are using your legato mallets. Which ones should I get?

@@jacoblaguna5371 - In the video it looks like I'm using either the green IP813 series or maybe the IP814's with an IP813 in the #1 position. The Rhapsody IP821 mallets are a bit heavier with a round tone and strong articulation. You could also consider the IP822 mallets. I think either series will be fine. Good luck!

walther v c - Gracias!!

They look like his IP812 or 813s from his innovative percussion series

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad that you are learning Emily's Dream! While it may seem difficult now, as you start to study the music you will see that there are a few components (or sections) that the music is based on. Since the work does not modulate, these sections always return but sometimes in a different register or slightly modified. I would recommend that you focus on only one section at a time. For example, the opening section is only 11 bars long. Practice this section until you all of the musical markings are heard clearly. This includes tempo, dynamics, phrasing, etc. Practice this small section and strive to play at a high level. Once you are comfortable, move on to the next section (mm. 12-19). While at first this might seem a slow process, you actually will learn the work quicker with more confidence than if you tried to memorize larger sections of the music. Dedicated, consistent practice is the key. Good luck!

Gabriel, thank you for your message. This is a difficult question as I have never heard you play and I do not know what marimba music you have already performed. I think you should consult with your percussion teacher for the best advice. That being said, both Moon Chasers and Emily's Dream are favorites of mine and both have unique technical and musical challenges. Whatever you choose to play, I hope you enjoy the journey! Best wishes!

@@markfordmusic Thank you Mark Ford I will be keeping those two pieces in my list. You might know my music teacher her name is Dawn Martinez in Conroe TX .

@@gabrieldeleon4316 Thank you! Keep working hard on your music and please give Ms. Martinez my best.

The average range of modern marimbas varies between four and five octaves. Marimbas with 3 ½ octaves (C3 - F6) are extremely rare. Marimba with 4 octaves: C3 - C7 Marimba with 4 1/3 octaves: A2 - C7 Marimba with 4 ½ octaves: F2 - C7 Marimba with 5 octaves: C2 - C7

Thanks for your comment! I have never considered this but I think it might be possible. However you will need to arrange a few sections where the lower register is required. Study the music first and decide what might be necessary. Then write out the music for those sections that need adjustment. I hope you will be able to play Emily's Dream! Good luck!

Those mallets I’m using in this video are the Innovative Percussion IP814s with an IP813 in the #1 position. Thanks!

@@markfordmusic Thank you!