INTRODUCTION This book is the second in a series designed to take the beginning marimbist through sequenced, pedagogical steps for learning four-mallet technique and literature. With the help of the Internet, too many young players just jump right into advanced literature because it looks or sounds fun. This can lead to injury, frustration, and bad musicianship. If you have not worked through Level 1 of this series, it is highly recommended that you do so before starting Level 2. They are designed to work in a sequence, and the techniques learned in Level 1 are assumed in Level 2. Dr. Gaines spent several years researching hundreds of four-mallet marimba pieces to uncover what techniques and musical attributes were common at the prescribed “beginning, intermediate, and advanced” levels. Her “Performance Level System” separates those broad labels into ten different categories of literature. Each method book is designed to help prepare the student for literature performance at that level. A partial list of literature at each level is listed at the end of each respective method book.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many students helped with the research necessary to write these books. In fact, the research did not start out with a book series in mind as the final result. I was simply searching for more truly intermediate fourmallet marimba pieces. I’m very appreciative of those students that helped me through this process: Darin Olson, Amy Hinkson, Wes Stephens, Jeff Hewitt, Ryan Borden, Emily Marx Fuller, and Abby Rehard. My sister, Janene Sun, has been a great help as well when it comes to the stretches in the front of the book. Her expertise with the narrative and pictures is invaluable. Special thanks goes to Brian Tate, a University of Missouri alum and good friend, who has spent many hours with me compiling and editing both books so far. —Julia Gaines