PLEASE NOTE: This purchase is for a downloadable PDF copy of the piece. You will NOT receive a hard copy shipped to your address. Hard copy from Edition Svitzer available soon!
 
You can also purchase any SIMPLE SOLOS works as individual works if you only need a specific one!
 
Watch the video of me playing these first:
Wistful: https://youtu.be/kTKufg4uynM
Cheerful: https://youtu.be/RUx864bwkrc
Peaceful: https://youtu.be/FZaO5O6wOZY
Grateful: https://youtu.be/0nbexIjOCN4
 
SIMPLE SOLOS VOL. 2 [ FEELINGS ] is a collection of four simple two-mallet miniatures which represent common feelings of longing, happiness and reflection within yourself. I wrote the SIMPLE SOLOS series to not only give developing students a chance to play interesting pieces that help build their technique and musicality, but also to challenge myself to make complex music while deliberately placing limits on what techniques I am allowed to use.
 
As there are not many two-mallet beginner focused works available, this is a suitable teaching resource to use for developing students, and also can be used as simpler melodic works for more advanced percussionists who are looking to program lighter and audience-friendly repertoire in their performances. 
 
[ FEELINGS ] solos all use only two mallets and a 3 octave range, but although they are beginner-friendly in nature, they can be made to suit any level of performer through interpretation and phrasing. As they all share a similar underlying style, the four works from SIMPLE SOLOS VOL. 2 [ FEELINGS ] can be performed as standalone pieces, or all four works together in order (Wistful, Cheerful, Peaceful, Grateful) as one continuous multi-movement work, making it flexible to suit any performance or assessment needs.
 
Wistful - thoughtful and spacious, focusing on two-mallet block chords
Cheerful - upbeat and groovy, focusing on two parts of melody and accompaniment
Peaceful - slow and warm, focusing on chorale-style legato rolls
Grateful - fast and floating, focusing on arpeggiated broken chords
 
Wistful is a representation of the feeling of longing for something, such as a distant memory or something that was once present that is now gone. Its spatial nature gives a feeling of quiet solitude, and perhaps can even be interpreted to have a feeling of missing something or someone.
 
Cheerful is a representation of the feeling of joy and laughter, such as spending time with your favourite people, doing something you enjoy or feeling optimistic about something. Its upbeat nature gives a feeling of warmth and energy, with the clear melody and accompaniment making for a surprisingly broad texture despite being a two-mallet work.
 
Peaceful is a representation of the feeling of inner calm and reflection, such as spending time alone in a secluded place, meditating or doing your favourite quiet activity. Its slow and stately nature gives a feeling of serenity, with the chorale style rolling textures creating a garden of warm sound.
 
Grateful is a representation of the feeling of gratitude and warmth as you appreciate what you have, such as reflecting on your life or feeling content with something that you have done. Its fast and floating nature represents the journey away from things that have already happened and a mix of contemplation and anticipation, with some excitement in the melody. It is also represented by its position as the last work in the [ FEELINGS ] collection, having experienced the other feelings of Wistful, Cheerful and Peaceful before it.
 
All works of the SIMPLE SOLOS VOL. 2 [ FEELINGS ] collection require a 3.0 octave or higher marimba and must be played with two mallets only. You will receive one (1) PDF file which includes all of the full scores and performance notes of all four (4) works, Wistful, Cheerful, Peaceful and Grateful.