Thanks for watching round two of STUDENT VS. PROFESSIONAL! This was a fun one and I want to say thank you to Neacail and Sam for their awesome performances - both are amazing and I'd happily watch them again many times over. Remember my comments are suuuuper picky and at the end of the day my opinion doesn't change the fact that they're both incredibly good performances. Anyway, let me know down below which performance you thought was better and why! I'd love to hear from you :) Also, my new 4.3 marimba solo designed for easy to intermediate level players is coming this Sunday (!!!) - make sure you're subscribed and hit that notification bell so you know when it's up. Thanks for watching! #TheStudioFamily
Awesome video and a very interesting series! You said all the things I would've said myself regarding my recording! One of the things that I found very challenging personally was tempo control. I must say that there are a few sections that you commented that I rushed which were artistic choices. I intentionally crushed or sped up like at 12:32 and when it comes back the second time, to give more of an interrupted feel (and to accentuate the hemiola), but I must also admit that I did totally rush in some other places unintentionally! but I hope I didn't lose the groove! Also, AWESOME performance Neacail! Looking forward to seeing more videos, Adam! Stay safe :) P.S. I was also a fresh first-year masters student back when I recorded this video :P
Thanks so much for watching man!! Definitely appreciate your artistic choices and I think your rushing (stylistic and unintentional alike) makes 0.001% difference. It's still an incredible performance no matter what I say haha
I'm curious, how did you decide on the way you ultimately ended up interpreting the piece? I love the groove and tense-ness of your version of this piece, I remember how cool it was the first time I watched it. But I can also hear from this video the difference a relatively more "straight" and "constant" tempo can bring. Were you focused on bringing out your own interpretation, and how does the "dance" aspect of the piece contribute to it?
WOW Adam!!! This was such an amazing pleasant surprise haha. Thank you so much for featuring me on your series I was hoping this year to come and meet you at Marimbafest (see you in July :) ). I’m so grateful for your pointers and critique they’ve all really left me with more ideas about evaluating and improving my playing. This is something I actually didn’t get too much feedback for all that long ago funnily enough so I’m very grateful for your thorough look through my video. I never expected it to circulate as much as it has but I’m stoked. One of my teachers at the time Brent Miller (awesome timpanist and percussionist for everyone to check out) suggested finding certain points to slow down and show playing that’s not always 100kms per hour which I really agreed with. That is why I decided to do the beginning and middle scale run sections in the way I did. However, I never thought about staying true to the style of a tango like you were talking about which I think I prefer now. I think I could’ve exchanged the use of a stronger pause with a more rhythmic beginning and middle section like you suggested and how Sam Um so beautifully captured. Anyway Adam thank you so much for this video it is actually quite touching in a way and I’ve been holding out to meet you since discovering your videos a while ago. It’s really awesome to have our own marimba nerd out TH-cam channel! I love your work thank you so much again!! Neacail - also really impressed about you pronunciation of my name hahaha wondering if Robert Oetomo or someone else might’ve helped lol.
Hey man! Ah I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and wish I could see you in July 😞 I think what Brent said makes sense too, maybe in the sections like the rit could be more suitable for that approach 😁 but no matter what, you did a really exceptional job and set the standard for us Australian players hahaha. Hope you keep playing marimba!
I feel like the rushing was less of an issue because even though Sam sped up quite a bit, the flow wasn’t lost, and the moment almost helped drive the piece. Sounding “panicked” is more of an issue to me personally and Sam also showed a lot of mature musicality which I think is more important. I also believe body language tells a lot about the player, but Both players did a very very good job!Loved the video!❤️
I have to say that I definitely enjoyed Sam's version more. I don't particularly feel that his slight rushing is fatal to the performance. I do however recommend checking out Kevin Bobo's version of this. He utilizes some very interesting techniques throughout. Particularly his 4-3 instead of double 4 mallet sticking in the last passage before the ending helped me out a lot when I played this really awesome piece :) Great video Adam!
With such a huge difference in audio quality, I’d say it’s very difficult to compare these two performances. However, I felt like you did a good job trying to hear through those differences and largely I agree with your assessment. Both did a really great job!
I remember when I checked this piece out. I quickly realized the distinct difference between classic tango, as it can be described as "sharp" and rhythmic, while this piece is very flowy.
How did this guy play libertango with burton? That's my main takeaway, I can play this piece without issue on Stevens technique but cross grips make it hell, lol.
Hi Adam! I think you shouldn't think Libertango or any other of Piazzolla's peace as a dancing peace. In fact many traditional tango players don't consider Piazzolla's music as tango. Even though Piazzolla's music sound as tango, the traditional tango is actually extremely different.
I think I would have to disagree that his “intraphrase” rushing felt tense or on edge. It can appear that way when you micro-analyze each section, but in the greater context of the piece I felt it gave his interpretation more forward direction, like one big climax with several smaller climaxes in terms of motion. Almost as if they were sprinkled in to reset the ground work of motion and direction that he was working with. Both performances were very good, but I think overall Sam had a much greater understanding of phrasing for the entirety of the piece.
This is a great interpretation 🤗 don't worry,I don't think he's that tense or on edge, that's just me being super picky and trying to find faults in a mostly flawless performancr haha. I appreciate your comments!
Just started learning marimba as back-up for my college band- Also just watched your video on Zeltsman signature mallets- th-cam.com/video/l7RfFxOpg1k/w-d-xo.html Wonder if this piece would be better served by those mallets? I'm finding the percussive nature of the marimba gets on my nerves- but then, the same can be said for the piano... [Observation from someone NOT knowledgeable on the whole Marimba scene/sound.]
I've gotta say, let's not get too hung up on the score. The score for Libertango, as with soooo many of Sammut's pieces, is super minimal and missing tons of dynamics and has basically no indication of phrasing. If you look at the Porgy and Bess variations score, the whole opening tremolo section is written as straight demi-semis, and the transitions between themes have no indication of rubato. This is why I personally don't feel that there is a need to stick religiously to the triplet then semi-quaver rhythm of the scale section in Libertango (which also has no rubato indicated), because when you actually play it in time as written, it just doesn't sound that great. Nobody plays it like that anyway. I'm sure Sammut doesn't play it like that.
Thanks for watching round two of STUDENT VS. PROFESSIONAL! This was a fun one and I want to say thank you to Neacail and Sam for their awesome performances - both are amazing and I'd happily watch them again many times over. Remember my comments are suuuuper picky and at the end of the day my opinion doesn't change the fact that they're both incredibly good performances. Anyway, let me know down below which performance you thought was better and why! I'd love to hear from you :)
Also, my new 4.3 marimba solo designed for easy to intermediate level players is coming this Sunday (!!!) - make sure you're subscribed and hit that notification bell so you know when it's up. Thanks for watching!
#TheStudioFamily
Awesome video and a very interesting series! You said all the things I would've said myself regarding my recording! One of the things that I found very challenging personally was tempo control. I must say that there are a few sections that you commented that I rushed which were artistic choices. I intentionally crushed or sped up like at 12:32 and when it comes back the second time, to give more of an interrupted feel (and to accentuate the hemiola), but I must also admit that I did totally rush in some other places unintentionally! but I hope I didn't lose the groove! Also, AWESOME performance Neacail! Looking forward to seeing more videos, Adam! Stay safe :)
P.S. I was also a fresh first-year masters student back when I recorded this video :P
Thanks so much for watching man!! Definitely appreciate your artistic choices and I think your rushing (stylistic and unintentional alike) makes 0.001% difference. It's still an incredible performance no matter what I say haha
I'm curious, how did you decide on the way you ultimately ended up interpreting the piece? I love the groove and tense-ness of your version of this piece, I remember how cool it was the first time I watched it. But I can also hear from this video the difference a relatively more "straight" and "constant" tempo can bring. Were you focused on bringing out your own interpretation, and how does the "dance" aspect of the piece contribute to it?
Sam Um Love your interpretation! Tango tango💃🏻
WOW Adam!!! This was such an amazing pleasant surprise haha. Thank you so much for featuring me on your series I was hoping this year to come and meet you at Marimbafest (see you in July :) ). I’m so grateful for your pointers and critique they’ve all really left me with more ideas about evaluating and improving my playing. This is something I actually didn’t get too much feedback for all that long ago funnily enough so I’m very grateful for your thorough look through my video. I never expected it to circulate as much as it has but I’m stoked. One of my teachers at the time Brent Miller (awesome timpanist and percussionist for everyone to check out) suggested finding certain points to slow down and show playing that’s not always 100kms per hour which I really agreed with. That is why I decided to do the beginning and middle scale run sections in the way I did. However, I never thought about staying true to the style of a tango like you were talking about which I think I prefer now. I think I could’ve exchanged the use of a stronger pause with a more rhythmic beginning and middle section like you suggested and how Sam Um so beautifully captured. Anyway Adam thank you so much for this video it is actually quite touching in a way and I’ve been holding out to meet you since discovering your videos a while ago. It’s really awesome to have our own marimba nerd out TH-cam channel! I love your work thank you so much again!! Neacail - also really impressed about you pronunciation of my name hahaha wondering if Robert Oetomo or someone else might’ve helped lol.
Hey man! Ah I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and wish I could see you in July 😞 I think what Brent said makes sense too, maybe in the sections like the rit could be more suitable for that approach 😁 but no matter what, you did a really exceptional job and set the standard for us Australian players hahaha. Hope you keep playing marimba!
I feel like the rushing was less of an issue because even though Sam sped up quite a bit, the flow wasn’t lost, and the moment almost helped drive the piece. Sounding “panicked” is more of an issue to me personally and Sam also showed a lot of mature musicality which I think is more important. I also believe body language tells a lot about the player, but Both players did a very very good job!Loved the video!❤️
I agree with this, he did keep the rushing "within the phrase" for the most part. I really had to be super picky with such a good performance 😅
I have to say that I definitely enjoyed Sam's version more. I don't particularly feel that his slight rushing is fatal to the performance. I do however recommend checking out Kevin Bobo's version of this. He utilizes some very interesting techniques throughout. Particularly his 4-3 instead of double 4 mallet sticking in the last passage before the ending helped me out a lot when I played this really awesome piece :) Great video Adam!
When Sam was ending the piece I couldn't breath and when he did that last chord... UFF so gOOd!! Astonishing
He is really too good ahaha
My new favorite series from you! LOVING your breakdown of these pieces. Can’t wait for more!
Its that time of the week again and I couldn't be more excited!!
With such a huge difference in audio quality, I’d say it’s very difficult to compare these two performances. However, I felt like you did a good job trying to hear through those differences and largely I agree with your assessment. Both did a really great job!
I remember when I checked this piece out. I quickly realized the distinct difference between classic tango, as it can be described as "sharp" and rhythmic, while this piece is very flowy.
I love Libertango! It’s one of my favorite pieces, I wish I could play it haha 😆
the piece I wanted to play for juries! great to hear your analysis of both.
Me, an italian when Adam says “SZUBEEETO”
Can’t wait for you 4.3 octave marimba solo. I’m currently working on Moon and can’t wait to get more content to work on!
Great video, Adam!
Thank you Dylan!!
Sam was a mentor of mine when i was in HS, i remember when this came out lol
I love this channel, I hope one day I can play like a professional
You can do it!!
Always like a good pause
I wanna play this on my senior recital
Hey Adam, Is there any chance of you doing a Q&A video?
How did this guy play libertango with burton? That's my main takeaway, I can play this piece without issue on Stevens technique but cross grips make it hell, lol.
Hi Adam! I think you shouldn't think Libertango or any other of Piazzolla's peace as a dancing peace. In fact many traditional tango players don't consider Piazzolla's music as tango. Even though Piazzolla's music sound as tango, the traditional tango is actually extremely different.
Nice!
I think I would have to disagree that his “intraphrase” rushing felt tense or on edge. It can appear that way when you micro-analyze each section, but in the greater context of the piece I felt it gave his interpretation more forward direction, like one big climax with several smaller climaxes in terms of motion. Almost as if they were sprinkled in to reset the ground work of motion and direction that he was working with. Both performances were very good, but I think overall Sam had a much greater understanding of phrasing for the entirety of the piece.
This is a great interpretation 🤗 don't worry,I don't think he's that tense or on edge, that's just me being super picky and trying to find faults in a mostly flawless performancr haha. I appreciate your comments!
Nice 👍
Nice vid!
hello noah johannessen
hello micha
Now compare my scuffed northern lights to jisu jung
Just started learning marimba as back-up for my college band- Also just watched your video on Zeltsman signature mallets- th-cam.com/video/l7RfFxOpg1k/w-d-xo.html Wonder if this piece would be better served by those mallets? I'm finding the percussive nature of the marimba gets on my nerves- but then, the same can be said for the piano... [Observation from someone NOT knowledgeable on the whole Marimba scene/sound.]
I've gotta say, let's not get too hung up on the score. The score for Libertango, as with soooo many of Sammut's pieces, is super minimal and missing tons of dynamics and has basically no indication of phrasing. If you look at the Porgy and Bess variations score, the whole opening tremolo section is written as straight demi-semis, and the transitions between themes have no indication of rubato. This is why I personally don't feel that there is a need to stick religiously to the triplet then semi-quaver rhythm of the scale section in Libertango (which also has no rubato indicated), because when you actually play it in time as written, it just doesn't sound that great. Nobody plays it like that anyway. I'm sure Sammut doesn't play it like that.