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Recording Techniques for Marimba
Mike Lawson | July 15, 2020The apocalypse is a perfect time for your students to make a marimba recording! This is a great time to be creative and get some new sounds released. Recording a marimba is not easy because it is a very unconventional instrument and even many engineers have limited experience. I will give you some hints you can pass on to your students as well as recording engineers.
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Percussionists Don’t Just ‘Hit’ Things: A Guide to the Numerous Percussion Strokes
Mike Lawson | June 15, 2020Many people, including some teachers I have met, assume percussionists just hit or strike a drum or mallet instrument. This assumption cannot be farther from the truth.
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Rudiments for Maintaining Percussion Chops While School is Out
Mike Lawson | April 30, 2020When your percussionists are out of school, teachers may be wondering how they can help students keep up their chops when there is no face-to-face guidance. The best solution in times like these is to encourage your students to focus on the basics. For drummers, this would be rudiments and exercises. If your percussionists do not have a drum at home, a practice pad will work just fine.
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Practicing Percussion During the “Apocalypse”
Mike Lawson | March 27, 2020
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How do students keep up their practice of percussion when the grocery store shelves are empty of food and essential bathroom items? I can definitely give advice for the percussion part of that question. -
The Top 10 Ways to Teach Your Student to Successfully Survive a Road Gig
Mike Lawson | March 3, 2020As your students’ progress into the real world, there are many challenges regarding concerts on the road.
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The Proper Way to Prepare a Solo
Mike Lawson | February 6, 2020
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When it comes to preparing a work for solo contest or an audition, it is easy for your students to feel overwhelmed, especially if the work is extremely difficult. -
How to Teach Jazz Improvisation on Mallets
Mike Lawson | January 10, 2020
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Jazz improvisation on mallets is perhaps the most under-emphasized skill in both high school and college academia. -
Triplet Stick Control and Timing for Your Students
Mike Lawson | December 5, 2019
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There are many different approaches that percussion teachers use to teach drumstick control. I am going to present a very simplistic approach to teaching this concept. -
Ney Rosauro’s “Concerto for Marimba”
Mike Lawson | November 1, 2019
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This concerto contains a lively presentation of Brazilian rhythms and beautiful South American melodies. It has become a staple for percussion repertoire at the university level worldwide spanning over two decades. -
Road Trip? How to Protect and Care for a Marimba
Mike Lawson | October 3, 2019
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The marimba is one of the most challenging instruments to transport; the pieces have awkward shapes, and it is a tough instrument and a fragile instrument all in one. -
Mallet Tips for Back to School
Mike Lawson | August 29, 2019It is time for school again, and there is no better way for your students to start the year than with great marimba and vibe mallets.
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Teach Your Students to Plan for Real World Performances
Mike Lawson | August 2, 2019
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There are many factors to consider when performing a live concert. Proper preparation and planning ahead can make a huge difference whether the concerts are successful or not.
