All the following pieces and music books could be obtained at Earl Hatch Publications.But now please proceed your inquiry directly to EHP Publication music handling shops. ( I just keep this address for my memory ) :
Earl Hatch Publications
5008 Auckland Avenue, North Hollywood
California, 91601 U.S.A
Following comments should be revised as my study on Dr. Earl Hatch musics proceeds. At least around 150 to 200 marimba solo pieces are assumed to exist in EHP library and most of them can be purchased from Earl Hatch Publications.
( all commented by S.Kumada )
Preface
Instrument.C-C 4 Oct. marimba (or xylophone) should be perfect to play any Earl Hatch marimba solo pieces. Of course some Bass marimba accompaniment musics exist in EHP library for ensemble, but as far as solo marimba pieces concerned, I have never seen any that needs more tones. Marimba vs. Xylophone? As long as they were made for marimba, marimba is better, however, you can enjoy almost full Earl Hatch taste by xylophone, too. Their only differences are less dynamic, higher tones and the tones are less continuous.
It is strongly recommended Earl Hatch music beginners will start with “My Marimba and I “. It can be played alone and very cost effective, and this is a very good introduction of Earl Hatch style solo marimba music .
The player will reconfirm one’s own 3 mallet ( 2 in left and 2 in right ) and 4 mallet current skills and problems as one goes through this book enjoying many famous claccical or traditional melodies. For etude and for concert pieces, this book has double purposes and achieves very good results for both . Especially for beginner to medium level players, this book promisses a very enjoyable trip from the beginning to the end. Some pattern practices for mallet control in this book will be a must for beginner 3 & 4 mallet players.
For advanced players, there should be no extra difficulties to go through any of following pieces technically, however, of course it is sometimes hard to understand what each piece really wants to express and usually we find many answers. After all there might be no perfect play and the goal has to be found by players themselves.
Basically there are no exceptional malletting in Earl Hatch musics. No one hand roll technique is required as long as I know and no rapid mallet 1&2 or 3&4 close/open movements. players will understand Dr.Earl Hatch’s very logical manner of compositions orarrangements pursued max.effect with min. difficulty while loving melodius music.
Tips for better play :
- Hold all the mallets rather firmly. Loose held mallets create more mis-touches and non-constant tones. Snaps should be relaxed holding mallets firmly. Too basic? Yes, but I mean ” hold mallets more firmly than usual “.
- “ March ” ( in My Marimba and I ) would be a good measure to check whether you are fully prepared to try Challenge 1 pieces.
If you find difficultiy especially in the mid part of March (legato tremolo with march tempo), it is recommendable to practice until you obtain legato. It would be wiser to spend much more time on this piece to attain full smooth play than struggling with many other difficult concert pieces wasting time.
Main Earl Hatch Compositions and Arrangements List
Recently released EHP catalog covered closely to 300 works by Dr.Earl Hatch and of course following contents have not covered all the main works yet.
For beginners to medium level players
” My Marimba and I “ ( Book Title ) Adaptable to Vibes
contains following 35 solos (and 5 practice,.manipulation and example etc.)
- Little Annie Rooney on the Sidewalks of New York
Noran Lawlor & Blake, 3 mallet ( 2 in right , then 2 in left repeat the same melody) - Libestraume (Dream of Love )
Liszt , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - Finlandia
Sibelius , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - Santa Lucia
Cottrau , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - March of the Gremlins
Hatch , 3 mallet ( 2 in left ) - Skip to my Lou
anon. , 3 mallet ( 2 in left ) - Ave Maria
Bach-Gounod , 3 mallet ( 2 in right )
( no doubt one of the best 3 mallet solos. very very beautiful. ) - Big Rock Candy Mountain
anon. , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - Billy Boy
White , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - The Band Played on
Palmer-Ward , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )
( merry-go-round lovely piece. catalog tells ensemble version is available ) - The Swan
Staint-Saens , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )
( another best 3 mallet solo and the beauty is beyond imagination. Since this is etude style, no roll part exist, but its piece music version is all roll notes and that is better at the concert. Piano accompaniment available, but solo is more impressive.) - La Golondrina
Serradell , 3 mallet ( 2 in right )
( Piano accompaniment available and in this case, piano accompanied play might create more beautiful accomplishment ) - Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair
Foster , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - Tit Willow
Gilbert Sullivan , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )- Tri-tech practice by Hatch ( alternate double tones + single tone practice. can understand the sound effect and very good practice ) - Polly Wolly Doodle
anon. , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )
( mid part is hard by smaller instrument and will be a good practice of manipulation) - The Skaters Waltz
Waldteufel , 3 mallet ( 2 in left ) - Mambo Jumbo
Hatch , 3 mallet ( 2 in left ) - Comin’ Thru the Rye
trad.Scotch , 3 mallet ( 2 in right ) - Pizzicato Polka
Straus , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )
( when played very fast, Coda is very difficult but worth trying ) - Pop goes the Weasel
anon. , 3 mallet ( 2 in left ) - Adios Muchachos
Sanders , 3 mallet ( 2 in left )
( high effect. good piece for concert , encore etc. )- Prep for Anitra’s Dance ( it is important to follow the malleting as noted even if playable by other ways ) - Anitra’s Dance
Grieg , 3 mallet ( 2 in right )
( Piano Accompaniment available. This arrangement makes player passionate but need piano accompaniment to play in the concert ) - Triumphal March
Prokofieff , 3 mallet ( 2 in right )
( Piano Accompaniment available. again, piano accompaniment is necessary for concert ) - Chinese Slumber Song
Hatch , 4 mallet - Three Blind Mice
anon. , 4 mallet - Minor Melody
Hatch , 4 mallet - Four Mallet in search of a melody
Hatch , 4 mallet- Manipulation practice - March
Hatch , 4 mallet
( very famous piece and good etude for 4 mallet . proves Simple is the Best, but not only simple. Worth practicing this piece often also to check each 4 mallet tone and their balance even after player mastered the play. ) - Etune NO.ONE
Hatch , 4 mallet- Overlap Exercice - Preludio I ( Ave Maria )
Bach-Gounod , 4 mallet- Preludio I Marimba Accompaniment Example
( Though I prefer 3 mallet Ave Maria, considering the importance of Bass tones in this piece, it can be a good concert piece, however, I persoanlly think when played very well, 3 mallet taste will be more impressive. ) - Shortnin’ Bread
anon. , 4 mallet
( not easy and can be a good etude ) - Penguins
Hatch , 4 mallet
( Though playable by xylophone, need marimba to know the real taste ) - Etune NO. TWO
Hatch , 4 mallet
( One of the representative 4 mallet beautiful solo at dance tempo. romantic.) - Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
J.S.Bach , 4 mallet - Tarantella
Hatch , 4 mallet
( West touch meets East . Mysterious piece. very good for concert encore etc.)
PieceMusic
Beautiful Dreamer ( Steven Foster, 4 mallet solo)
All by tremolo.
As for solo play, players can change speed to ones’ comfortable ones and not difficult maybe. However, if this has to be played neatly by the constant tempo, everything will be changed and becomes quite a tough piece. Beautiful.
Home on the Range ( traditional, 4 mallet solo )
Almost all by tremolo.
Dr. referred to the unique minor bridge and indeed this part gives very fantastic image to this piece, but to me , the beginning part beautiful harmony is more impressive. Very inspiring and anytime I play this, it makes me go to my hometown.
For Advanced Players
“Challenge 1” ( Book Title : all pieces can be bought by original separate piece music)
Again very cost effective book but personally I want to recommend players will also buy Dr.’s original written piece musics after played once looking at Challenge 1. Different feelings might be given by original hand written notes.
For beginner to medium level players, Dance of Hippolollipos, Cappricio Marimbata and Habanera are too hard, but it will be instructive to try to play them very slowly. Furioso & Valse in D Minor ( 2 mallet )
I have never heard this in Japan before but a very good piece for concert etc. The mid valse reminds me a dessert and oasis in the dessert. fantastic, but different cultural background will yield different image and maybe many answers exist.
Etude 1955 ( 2 mallet )
I do not know exactly what Dr. meant in this piece but the title 1955 reminds me the world unstable situation by cold-war and nuclear weapons’ threat was stronger. Mid part bright tones sounds like a little hope in the darkness , but soon returns to the dark, unstable image and piece ends in the darkness.
Dance of the Hippolollipops ( 3 mallet, 2 in left hand )
Minor swing style music.Written music & Dr.’s comment shows pianistic style play at the beginning but it is effective only if played by a very good marimba at appropriate concert stage. I personally think piano maybe played by mp and fff can be ff by normal standard 4 oct.marimba ( especially by xylophone, ppp play is almost unrealistic and need to compromise ). Undoubtedly tough piece to master and it will take long time to play especially the mid part touching its taste.
Capriccio Marimbata ( 4 mallet )
Famous 4 mallet solo piece. Piece structure reminds player as if it were a story and rather mysterious piece, however, I would like to avoid any specific comments here how to taste this piece to avoid preceived notions. Very high effect at concerts or any playing occasions and if it can be played well, no doubt this should be a wonderful repertoire. Technically , besides mid part fine tremolo, left-left & right-right consecutive hits’ accurate control would be a key to the good play.
Habanera ( 4 mallet )
Carmen’s (Bizet) Habanera part and Dr.comments Accuracy is the key. Indeed if this is played not accurately, the taste will be degraded awfully. When played accurately, I could not imagine this fine effect by solo marimba play, which sounds like ensemble play. PieceMusic
Andulcia ( 4 mallet )
Another tough piece to play, but when played well, very impressive piece. Especially the last bolero part has a very high effect and impressive, but after all so nice from the beginning to the end. When played by xylophone, somewhat faster play might be recommended since tones dissapear too early if played by slow Rhumba.