*stands up* *stomps feet* *applauds* *cheers* This is arguably the best performance of this piece I've seen on youtube by far. And you obviously paid close detail to the delicate areas of musicianship (i.e. voicings, tension and release, direction, etc.). You totally embody my personal philosophy of how marimba should be played. Bravo. Keep it up.
I think I've honestly listened to this video at least 20 times. This video was the one that inspired me to learn this as a junior in high school. And every time I watch this I get something different out of it and find something new to take away from it. You have definitely captured something special in this solo. Thank you so much and excellent job.
Total shot in the dark, and it's unlikely you'll see this, but did you happen to write about learning to play this piece in your common app college essay?
This is such a cool piece. I want to do this for solo and ensemble next year. I hope that I will be able to play it with as much accuracy and musicianship as you did in this video.
he is playing a type of cross grip that is similar to Burton grip. if you are holding your hand knuckles up in Burton grip your inside mallet is underneath the outside mallet. in the Asian style the inside mallet is on top of the outside mallet. you spread them apart by making a scissor motion with your thumb and first finger. Keiko Abe, Nanae Mimura, and Evelyn Glennie play the Asian style cross grip.
You guys are all talking about correct height, posture, etc... Did you notice that this guy is performing a solo? He doesn't have to match anyone else. His posture is apart of the music. I can guarantee that, with chops like that, this musician has gone through all the studies of posture, played more scales than he can remember, etc. I've never played this piece before, but it seems to me that this performer doesn't miss a beat. He looks like he has total control. Great job with musicality!
@xtinabobina15 i think he should have the marimba at whatever height he wants as long as it's comfortable for him. gordon stout plays really low because marimbas were not adjustable when he went to eastman, and rather than changing it, he just plays how he is used to and he's like, 6'5
@DrummerTR97 You and your director or lesson teacher can really be the only judges of if you're ready for this solo. best bet would be to maybe see if you can get the sheet music, see how long it takes to learn and master, and if it proves to be too big of a monster, store it and bring it out next year
evelyn glennie is deaf. she playes barefoot so she can feel the vibrations. I saw her a few months ago and was in awe the whole concert. Have you ever seen what she does with maracas?
@percussionnow great job with this solo! i liked it a lot. i just have one question, i am i 8th grade and i did a grade four solo last year. do you think i am ready to do this solo yet? i figured i should ask you because you are the best video i have seen of this solo. Thank you
Do you know how many octaves this piece is? Because, after watching you play it, I am really encouraged to play this piece. But I only have access to a four and a third octave marimba.... Loved it by the way
fantastic performance. I would say that your posture might make your playing less accurate, but that didnt seem to be the case. what kind of mallets are you using?
I'm a freshman in college learning this piece and it is hard..... I can barley play half of it at like 1/3 of the tempo.... this is a great recording of the piece though
Beautiful!! In regard to posture, it has little to no impact on how you sound. That said, in 10 years, you will have neck/back problems. Take it from an old(er) man.
I'm going to be a critic for a minute. If you don't like it, oh well. This piece was well done, but not as well as everyone is saying it is. As someone who is currently learning this piece, I can tell you that this piece isn't supposed to have any tempo alterations except for the one part where it slows down, then resumes normal tempo. In this, you were inconsistent, altering tempo where it shouldn't have been altered. Also, you added some gaps on pages 4 and 5 of the solo (can't remember the measures and am to lazy to mind the point in the video) where, after the right hand does the accelerating portion on the scaling upwards, there are no breaks, as it is a consecutive run from top to bottom of the marimba. Also, you were very obviously trying to rush some sections. However, all of the runs were clean and your accuracy was stupendous. Even though this may have sounded like a negative review, your performance was very well done, and if I was a judge, would likely give you a 1.
Sigh… What you should understand and especially as a soloist yourself, is that whether or not the tempo fluctuations were written in the piece, it is ultimately up to the performer to interpret what was written on the page. The beauty of solo marimba-or solo anything for that matter, is that one can move things around the way the like, play section A a little faster, play section B a little slower and softer, etc. Now obviously you have to ultimately play what's on the page which this gentlemen definitely did but nowhere on the music does it say tempo "Guisto" (strict) on top of this, Keiko Abe's pieces all have a tendency to fall more towards the rubato side of things. The reason he is gaining so much praise for this performance is because he didn't limit himself to what he saw on the page which is how you become a great solo performer. Just think about that for a few minutes, you may not like his interpretation and of course you are entitled to your own opinion, but ultimately he played this piece extraordinarily well.
I know that this piece was performed very well. I even commented on that. However, if you look at a download link, which I will leave at the bottom of this comment, you can see that in the description of this piece at the bottom, it says "In the entire piece, the tone E is centrally integrated, and it must always be played (except in the last two measures) in the same tempo." I know that it is up to the performer to decide how a solo should perform a piece, but when it is explicitly stated to do something a certain way, that should be followed. Also, I never commented on volume as the listed dynamics on a piece are there are to show that the writer is intending it to be a certain level range, but not a specific volume. Also, the specific jumps in runs shouldn't be added, no matter how he wants it to be performed; if he doesn't like the way it is, then he should either live with it or do a different solo (it sounds harsh, but it's the truth). Also, I am a marimba player myself, and I've since my first comment finished learning this solo, so when I say something in a way that implies I know what I'm talking about, I probably know what I'm talking about. Do the research for yourself before you post a response next time, and don't put words in my mouth just to improve your argument. I said he played the solo well, and didn't comment on his dynamics once. And he should have known that the tempo wasn't supposed to change if he performed this solo at such a high level. I don't want this comment to be removed for putting a link in because I don't know if that is still a problem, so just google "dream of the cherry blossoms keiko abe sheet music" and it will be the first link. It will be in the Full Description section at the bottom of the page.
kittydrago I really liked his rubato. He plays the piece incredibly powerfully. I have a CD recording of Keiko Abe playing it, and she also uses quite a bit of rubato, even more than this guy does. Keiko Abe herself rarely plays her work as written. I generally agree with following all tempo marking and playing everything as written, however, there are many opportunities as a soloist to offer your original musical ideas in a piece. It's about creativity, musicality, and art.
![แข่งเพิ่มน้ำหนักใน 24 ชั่วโมง!! [Ver 2025]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/20xn0g6k-ec/mqdefault.jpg)
*stands up*
*stomps feet*
*applauds*
*cheers*
This is arguably the best performance of this piece I've seen on youtube by far. And you obviously paid close detail to the delicate areas of musicianship (i.e. voicings, tension and release, direction, etc.). You totally embody my personal philosophy of how marimba should be played.
Bravo. Keep it up.
Now that's what I call a genuine show! That was spectacular in both the musicali and the active senses. I enjoyed watching this solo.
There was a time when I could do this, and almost this well. And now I can not. And now I am sad.
such a beautiful instrument. marimba one marimbas are so well crafted
I think I've honestly listened to this video at least 20 times. This video was the one that inspired me to learn this as a junior in high school. And every time I watch this I get something different out of it and find something new to take away from it. You have definitely captured something special in this solo. Thank you so much and excellent job.
Total shot in the dark, and it's unlikely you'll see this, but did you happen to write about learning to play this piece in your common app college essay?
the best version ever!! congrats from Brazil!!
great job, you really capture the lyrical quality of the song, it feels like you're telling a tale through the music.
The best in youtube !
He's awesome! This piece is beautiful
ive played on a marimba like that and it feels amazing. very nice job
Excellent! Your interpretation is great!!
Sounds great! You play this really well. You make the main tune sing excellently.
very good job....i played that a few years ago....very good performance...
why have I not seen this yet! Amazing!
This is such a cool piece. I want to do this for solo and ensemble next year. I hope that I will be able to play it with as much accuracy and musicianship as you did in this video.
Fantastic!
Marimba One is a beautiful make for this sort of music:-) Well-played:-)
@Ostraconophobia Thank you! I hate when people are nit pickey about posture in marimba playing.
he is playing a type of cross grip that is similar to Burton grip. if you are holding your hand knuckles up in Burton grip your inside mallet is underneath the outside mallet. in the Asian style the inside mallet is on top of the outside mallet. you spread them apart by making a scissor motion with your thumb and first finger. Keiko Abe, Nanae Mimura, and Evelyn Glennie play the Asian style cross grip.
wow rele good. n nice marimba :)
You guys are all talking about correct height, posture, etc...
Did you notice that this guy is performing a solo? He doesn't have to match anyone else. His posture is apart of the music. I can guarantee that, with chops like that, this musician has gone through all the studies of posture, played more scales than he can remember, etc.
I've never played this piece before, but it seems to me that this performer doesn't miss a beat. He looks like he has total control. Great job with musicality!
Wow! Congratulations! :D
Perfect! Working on this right now. Decided to start punishing my left hand a little more.
this version is the the best on the youtube so far, except from the composer version.
strong emotion and punch but smooth and detailed.
Salut, nu uita sa tai tuburile marimbei pt pastrarea liniei line, fara excrescenta aia din acut. Toate cele bune si felicitari!! Sanatate
Great job, dude. :)
@xtinabobina15 i think he should have the marimba at whatever height he wants as long as it's comfortable for him. gordon stout plays really low because marimbas were not adjustable when he went to eastman, and rather than changing it, he just plays how he is used to and he's like, 6'5
Piękne!!!
@DrummerTR97 You and your director or lesson teacher can really be the only judges of if you're ready for this solo.
best bet would be to maybe see if you can get the sheet music, see how long it takes to learn and master, and if it proves to be too big of a monster, store it and bring it out next year
evelyn glennie is deaf. she playes barefoot so she can feel the vibrations. I saw her a few months ago and was in awe the whole concert. Have you ever seen what she does with maracas?
@percussionnow
great job with this solo! i liked it a lot. i just have one question, i am i 8th grade and i did a grade four solo last year. do you think i am ready to do this solo yet? i figured i should ask you because you are the best video i have seen of this solo. Thank you
This is fricken crazy
that was incredible! what mallets did you use?
@tapbamtap
Hey thanks man, that sounds like a really good idea. i appreciate it!
Hatte ich als Prüfungsstück#
Topp
Do you know how many octaves this piece is?
Because, after watching you play it, I am really encouraged to play this piece. But I only have access to a four and a third octave marimba....
Loved it by the way
Great performance. This solo looks like a better workout than ZUMBA. Lol
How long did it take you to learn this piece?? This is amazing...
fantastic performance. I would say that your posture might make your playing less accurate, but that didnt seem to be the case. what kind of mallets are you using?
I'm a freshman in college learning this piece and it is hard..... I can barley play half of it at like 1/3 of the tempo.... this is a great recording of the piece though
Does it have to be performed on a Five octave marimba? I'm looking into playing this so that is why i ask
what mallets are you using?
are you using steven's grip? Because it doesn't look like it
is a 5 octave marimba needed for this? or can it be played on a 4.3 octave?
What Sticks ARE YOU USING?
PS....3:27-3:31.....OMG.Lol
Very good playing. Although I personally didn't enjoy it that much until about 3 minutes in
my nigga
@betterdrummerjoe I think it's just low for him
Beautiful!! In regard to posture, it has little to no impact on how you sound. That said, in 10 years, you will have neck/back problems. Take it from an old(er) man.
I'm going to be a critic for a minute. If you don't like it, oh well. This piece was well done, but not as well as everyone is saying it is. As someone who is currently learning this piece, I can tell you that this piece isn't supposed to have any tempo alterations except for the one part where it slows down, then resumes normal tempo. In this, you were inconsistent, altering tempo where it shouldn't have been altered. Also, you added some gaps on pages 4 and 5 of the solo (can't remember the measures and am to lazy to mind the point in the video) where, after the right hand does the accelerating portion on the scaling upwards, there are no breaks, as it is a consecutive run from top to bottom of the marimba. Also, you were very obviously trying to rush some sections. However, all of the runs were clean and your accuracy was stupendous. Even though this may have sounded like a negative review, your performance was very well done, and if I was a judge, would likely give you a 1.
Sigh… What you should understand and especially as a soloist yourself, is that whether or not the tempo fluctuations were written in the piece, it is ultimately up to the performer to interpret what was written on the page. The beauty of solo marimba-or solo anything for that matter, is that one can move things around the way the like, play section A a little faster, play section B a little slower and softer, etc. Now obviously you have to ultimately play what's on the page which this gentlemen definitely did but nowhere on the music does it say tempo "Guisto" (strict) on top of this, Keiko Abe's pieces all have a tendency to fall more towards the rubato side of things. The reason he is gaining so much praise for this performance is because he didn't limit himself to what he saw on the page which is how you become a great solo performer. Just think about that for a few minutes, you may not like his interpretation and of course you are entitled to your own opinion, but ultimately he played this piece extraordinarily well.
I know that this piece was performed very well. I even commented on that. However, if you look at a download link, which I will leave at the bottom of this comment, you can see that in the description of this piece at the bottom, it says "In the entire piece, the tone E is centrally integrated, and it must always be played (except in the last two measures) in the same tempo." I know that it is up to the performer to decide how a solo should perform a piece, but when it is explicitly stated to do something a certain way, that should be followed. Also, I never commented on volume as the listed dynamics on a piece are there are to show that the writer is intending it to be a certain level range, but not a specific volume. Also, the specific jumps in runs shouldn't be added, no matter how he wants it to be performed; if he doesn't like the way it is, then he should either live with it or do a different solo (it sounds harsh, but it's the truth). Also, I am a marimba player myself, and I've since my first comment finished learning this solo, so when I say something in a way that implies I know what I'm talking about, I probably know what I'm talking about. Do the research for yourself before you post a response next time, and don't put words in my mouth just to improve your argument. I said he played the solo well, and didn't comment on his dynamics once. And he should have known that the tempo wasn't supposed to change if he performed this solo at such a high level.
I don't want this comment to be removed for putting a link in because I don't know if that is still a problem, so just google "dream of the cherry blossoms keiko abe sheet music" and it will be the first link. It will be in the Full Description section at the bottom of the page.
kittydrago
I really liked his rubato. He plays the piece incredibly powerfully. I have a CD recording of Keiko Abe playing it, and she also uses quite a bit of rubato, even more than this guy does. Keiko Abe herself rarely plays her work as written. I generally agree with following all tempo marking and playing everything as written, however, there are many opportunities as a soloist to offer your original musical ideas in a piece. It's about creativity, musicality, and art.
cross grip