 [2976]Re: (347 reads) |
2003-06-16 01:19:12 |
I've played a few padouk marimbas (Vancore, mostly, given that we've had a few at the percussion studio where I teach), and I think that generally, they're a significant step up from the synthetic-bar instruments I've tried - they feel and sound better than the Yamaha synthetics I've played, and are decidedly better than Musser's Kelon. One of my old students picked up a Yamaha padouk marimba, and he loves it. Unfortunately, I'm in Connecticut and he's in Chicago, so I haven't have much of an opportunity to go check it out in person. I think it was Bill Youhass who mentioned elsewhere on this board that "wood" is better than "not wood" when selecting a marimba, and I agree wholeheartedly, unless you're talking about a high school's instruments or drum corps "pit" instruments, situations where the bars will really be tested in terms of durability (those are the few situation where I'd actually say synthetic bars are worth looking into). If you're familiar with the sound and feel of rosewood, you'll be able to tell the difference when playing padouk. You may have to make some adjustments in terms of mallet choice to get the sound that you want for a particular piece, but it's still going to be far less of an adjustment compared to a synth-bar instrument. For all the condemnation that padouk gets, all I can say is, I wish these sorts of instruments had been around when *I* was getting started - all I could afford in high school was a non-graduated bar Musser Kelon instrument, which got me through, but I would have been much happier with some sort of sub-rosewood wooden-bar instrument. Good luck with your new marimba! JW http://www.malletjazz.com Remote Host: dialup-67.75.112.227.dial1.stamford1.level3.net |
 [2975] <Sam> |
2003-06-15 15:00:54 |
 [2976]Re: <James Walker> |
2003-06-16 01:19:12 |
| [2977]Re: <Bill> |
2003-06-16 08:57:43 |
| [2979]Re: <> |
2003-06-16 21:24:06 |
| [2980]Re: <James Walker> |
2003-06-16 23:35:43 |
 [2981]Re:Re: <James Walker> |
2003-06-16 23:37:04 |