Marimba
 

I'm playing marimba this fall for marching season and I played vibes last year so the shift is kind of great, but I could take any help if anybody has any advice.

Great instrument, one I've always wanted to try my hand at, but I'd be pretty hard pressed to throw any advice your way. Are you going with the 4 mallet technique.

Check out Bobby Hutcherson's album San Francisco to hear one of the greatest jazz marimba players that's ever lived. I got a link if you're interested.

That would be great, and ya ill probably be doing 4 mallet inside mallet licks at 150 or so, lol. Four mallet technique is a biggie in our frontline.

Good for you! I've done both marimba and vibes (although not in a LOOONG while lol), and I think I prefer the earthier tones of the marimba myself.

Not sure exactly what kind of advice you're looking for, but if you have a pit leader, they can surely help you with certain techniques and approaches to the music. I know that when I'd practice between the two instruments I had to adjust my touch going from marimba to vibes as opposed to the other way. I think this was because of the 'liver', clearer sound of the vibes.

If you haven't done 4 mallet before be prepared for some sore spots in between your fingers..lol. The first month I started doing it, my 'in-between spots' around my fingers felt kinda funky whenever I'd take a shower or get 'em wet..