Strive to be Happy is a solo written for 4.3 octave marimba. It is dedicated to my dear friend Aaron Staebell. Video and audio recorded with Go Pro camera. Sheet music available at IvanDrums.com
Hey Ivan. I don't know if you will read this but yesterday my friend Devon Walker passed away in a freak ATV accident with me and two other friends. He has been working on this song for like 3 months and the day that he passed away he finally finished the whole thing. I just wanna let you know that your music means alot to some people. I know that everytime anyone from our high school band listens to this we will remember him. I believe that you met him at Baylor University a few weeks ago. He said it was one of the best moments of his life as some people are telling me. Thanks for your work and amazing skill.
Hi Caleb. I am so sorry to hear about this. I do remember meeting Devon at Baylor, and from our brief encounter, he seemed really, really sweet. He smiled a lot that night, I remember. I'm touched that my music had a small part in his life, and I wish he was here to keeping playing. I send my love and condolences to you and your bandmates. You guys hang in there and be well.
@@gerardobarrera3954 maybe no one asked, but that doesn't matter. It's always good to hear the impact that you have on someone's life. And Ivan seemed to really care as well. So maybe just leave people alone and worry about yourself.
Thank you for writing this. I had the privilege of performing it at my 20 year old coworker's funeral tonight. Along with being an extremely talented percussionist and teacher, Harry Jeanniton was the embodiment of the phrase "strive to be happy", always finding ways to spread joy and laughter to those around him. This piece will always hold a special place in my heart, as a method of honoring him.
Hey Ivan, I just wanted to say thank you for writing such a beautiful piece of music! I used this solo for all of my college auditions and it got me into my dream schools like Ithaca and James Madison. This solo came to mean a lot to me, and I could have never felt this way about any other solo. thanks!
Thank you for writing this! I'm playing the piece for my sophmore Solo and Ensemble and I am so excited to play such a beautiful work completed. It's been fun to work on and so rewarding now that I'm done.
Hey Ivan.I just wanted to thank you for coming by Cobb with Mr.Teed and showing us percussion talent. It really inspired me and I think I actually might try this for life because of you! I love your talent and I think you're really good at dynamics. I agree that basics are important before getting as good as you. Thank you so much! You inspired all! Good luck with Wakeland and Mr.Teed tonight at the concert!
This piece is incredible, when I first began playing it it was just another solo. But just after I first performed it, my uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. So now it is a reminder that even when facing terminal illness, he can smile and make jokes, meaning I too can stay strong and upbeat in my hardships.
This is my favorite marimba piece to this day, I connected this with my ex, and every time I hear it it brings back memories but gives that feeling of over coming, she’s playing it for S+E and I wanted to cry. Thank you for this amazing piece, and keep writing Ivan thank you
I am in high school and am playing this. It is my second 4 mallet solo and I am loving it! Wanted to thank you for writing it and also saying that it is possible for a high schooler to play it :)
@@zane2148 I saw your performance, definitely great, my one piece of advice would be work on technique and play slow then speed up with a met. Besides that it was good and impressive for a tall eighth grader
everything you write is so epic. this will be my first semester playing four mallet ...i just want to say that your writing is inspiring me to give it my all in the practice room. I plan on learning this and your other pieces when i build up the chops!
This is a new favorite piece of mine! I have a hard time focusing when I begin to learn new pieces, and I was able to dive right into this piece as soon as I got it. Not to mention the meaning behind it, very meaningful poem! Thank you for creating such amazing works!
I really want to play this for Solo & Ensemble but. chose Water & Fire before I found this and now only a month to Solo & Ensemble so I can't change it and have to learn this. Definitely buying music just to learn it. Thanks for making this Ivan. I really loved Into The Air, Catching Shadows, and 2+1
Hey ivan my name is Riley rath I go to at rockwall high school and I qualified for state on your solo and may I just say this is a amazing piece it brings a clam and relaxing sense of nature and if there is only one thing I could say to you is Thank you. thankyou for the amazing creation of beautiful music. god bless you and have a amazing day Sincerely Riley Rath
Nick Loughner dang dude ! , that's awesome , keep up the good work. if your really into playing in a band you should look into DCI (Drum Corps International )and or WGI (Winter Guard International ) good luck on your musical endeavor :)
Damn your school either has a fantastic music program or you're some kind of prodigy my friend was working on this for a solid 3 months before he got it down and he was a junior in highschool and basically the best board player that our schools ever seen. He does most of the rolls as laterals though not d.v.'s
@@aidenbouc3314 nah I suck now. 4 years later and I've gotten a hell of a lot better but I still feel as if I suck. I can play stuff way beyond anyone I know and I have been accepted to wgi groups and dci groups and everything. so I guess I've done enough so far but I'm only a senior in high school. I'm 100% self taught btw never had a private lesson teacher or anything. also my band teachers are the best at mallets. I'd say just keep grinding you'll get there
Hi Ivan, I'm glad I found this channel, your music is so beautiful, and I am trying to figure out how to play Anthem. You visited in Alvin a little while ago for our guest clinic, and I was one of the girls who made up an "idea" with you and my friend, Kath. Your music is just so awesome, I love it!
This a great piece and all but am I supposed to full somewhat depressed when I listen? XD Great Job Ivan on all your pieces, you are literally my favorite composer
Music is written with the emotion of the composer but that doesn't mean it's a definite feeling. It's all up to the listeners interpretation. I feel almost peaceful while listening to this.
Gavin Chacon I know this is old, but he could be refering to the sections where its is rolling chords. I dont think he understands even simple things in music can be beautiful
Hi Ivan I recently bought the pdf of this piece from your website and started learning it, and I was wondering if you had any tips to get through the single 16ths ( I believe they start in measure 32 lol). Learned the first section pretty quickly but those 16ths have me all over the place! So any tips or pointers would be amazing. Would love to hear from you soon (: Thanks!
Hey Ivan! I'm working on a piece that requires rolling all four mallets almost like a lateral. I have a basic idea of how to roll but I was wondering if you had any tips! Wonderful piece btw, I played anthem for one of my performances and they loved it! Thanks for writing such wonderful music!
Hey Ivan I'm a senior in high school and I'm trying to learn this piece. I've nailed the majority of it but due mainly to a lack of four mallet experience my permutation abilities are really sub-par. Any advice?
I understand completely if you feel uncomfortable with this, but is there any way that I could find, or ask you for, a pdf for the sheet music to this piece? My honors recital is coming up very quickly and I would really like to find a marimba piece.
Hi Calla! Thanks for your comment! I have PDFs for sale on my website at ivandrums.com or you can buy a physical copy from Steve Weiss or Lone Star Percussion. Hope this helps and best wishes!!
the green mallets are the IT13 made by malletech. I just bought a couple pairs recently and i would certainly reccomend them. Great sounds throughout the keyboard. However, I have no idea about the red mallet.
If you really love a piece, always go for it. You will get so much better by learning music that is 'above your level' that you love and want to play everyday rather than easy music designed for beginners. It will be tough but you can do it!
my friend george (a senior in hs) is learning it right now and i think i will too (im a sophomore) so yeah it is pretty good for high schoolers to learn :D
I really want to play this for Solo & Ensemble but. chose Water & Fire before I found this and now only a month to Solo & Ensemble so I can't change it and have to learn this. Definitely buying music just to learn it. Thanks for making this Ivan. I really loved Into The Air, Catching Shadows, and 2+1
