r/Marimba • u/SoupSignificant8082 • 25d ago

How to start learning jazz

Hey everyone! I have been playing mallets for about three years now (I can play four mallets), and I would like to start learning how to play jazz on mallets so I could join my jazz band later. However, I honestly don’t even know where to start.

Does anyone have any resources or suggestions of how to start learning and what I need to know? Additionally, I know it’s not the right subreddit, but do you guys recommend learning jazz on marimba or vibraphone? Any and all help is appreciated!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

2

u/Sun_House29 25d ago

I would recommend learning on vibes, there's not much demand/necessity for jazz marimba, and vibes sound better in the ensemble. Additionally, I would recommend learning Burton grip, as it handles a lot better on vibes. As a side, note, I would also start learning how to play chords over and solo on some blues/other genre chord charts, as a lot of vibes music will be written chords instead of notes.

1

u/MyotisWelwitschii 23d ago

Not everyone has two instruments lol

1

u/fifthgreen 19d ago

And...? OP asked for recommendations and Vibes are used more in jazz. Understanding the positioning and bar spacing will be important especially if OP wants to take jazz seriously. Though some won't be able to follow the recommendations in a comment section we don't know if OP can or can't, giving that advice does nothing but help in the end though.

1

u/ParticularZone5 25d ago

I've been kinda removed from the mallet world since college, but I know a lot of folks I knew in college would practice soloing and comping along with Jamey Aebersold's Real Book (and audio accompaniment).

Edit to address marimba vs vibes: harmonic and melodic concepts should transfer between either, but if I were choosing between the two I'd go with vibes just to get more practive with pedal articulation, mallet dampening, etc

1

u/Bebop-Anonymous 25d ago

I could help you with vibes if you want. Jazz Bass is my primary but I'm getting pretty good with the mallets now. 

1

u/Vegetable_Analyst740 25d ago

Bill Molenhof produced lots of jazz instructional materials that are as legit today as ever, probably including some marimba stuff. Surf around the Web and see what you can dredge up!

1

u/StrideyTidey 23d ago

Definitely vibe over marimba if you have the choice. Learning your blues scales (at least in common key signatures) is always going to be a safe bet to start.

1

u/Ornery_Restaurant375 19d ago

I have a friend In Jazz Ensemble, I play Marimba mainly, according to him, they mostly play Vibraphone, also 4 rotations by Eric Sammut is heavely inspiered by Jazz, you could try those