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T0 purchase, click image. That will open a new window at MalletWorks Music. MalletWorks.com contains audio/video samples, and your shopping car/checkout options. If you're buying more than one item, stay at MalletWorks and look around! Downloadable versions are available only at MalletWorks, and will be emailed within 24hrs.  Enjoy!

INSTRUCTIONAL BOOKS

Best-seller for 24 years! 
8 steps to solo playing. Paper $37.95
Digital $28
(25% discount)

Companion for Jazz Improv Video Course in 5 versions:
C, Bb, Eb, Tenor Sax, Bass.
Classroom quantity discount. $16.95

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Companion for Jazz Improv Video Course for mallets. Sound files.
Classroom quantity discount.
$25

Beautiful collection of songs for solo vibes, 4 mallets. Published by Southern Percussion (UK)  .
$25

MARIMBA & VIBRAPHONE CONCERTO (optional Childrens Choir mvmt 2) 

Piano reduction: $31 paper, $22 digital. Rental rates inquire at MalletWorks

Mallet Fantasia is a mixture of themes and textures which reflect Arthur’s interests in Jazz, World Music and traditional ensemble instrumentations from Europe.  With the use of different performance techniques on the vibes marimba, two improvisational sections and several cadenzas, Arthur has created a musical environment of freedom and structure, sound color and intrigue, beauty and energy.  This is among the first pieces to include the challenging use of vibes and marimba together as a soloistic lead.  Norwegian composer/instrumentalist Jens Wendelboe shared compositional duties in several important areas and orchestrated it. The initial title was "Hybrisidation".

Mallet Fantasia was premiered by Lipner in two Rio de Janeiro performances with The Brazilian National Symphony.  The Percussion Ensemble version has performed dozens of times around the world. The Wind Ensemble arrangement has been played only once...so far! Click links below for performance video.

Mallet Fantasia is in four movements. : (I) Opening, (II) Two Meditations, (III) Timbral Dances
(IV) Finale (Symphony Orchestra) (Percussion Ensemble).

Conductor & Musicians Discuss Their Performance

MARIMBA SOLOS

Some Uptown Hip-Hop (Solo Marimba, Grade III), $14 paper, $10 digital

Some Uptown Hip-Hop is a fun, four-mallet marimba solo for the intermediate player. The hand-to-hand syncopation brings on a loose Caribbean feel. The harmony is simple to follow. Chord symbols are provided so the arrangement can be played with others, for example bass/bass marimba and congas. There is an improvisation section, with optional notated "solo" provided. Written for a 4.3 octave marimba.

The same lead part is identical to that of the Percussion Ensemble arrangement. Once a student learns the solo part they can be featured with the ensemble! Some Uptown Hip-Hop has been played by Middle School Percussion Ensembles. It's also a fun easy addition to HS and college programs as well., with the flexibility to add additional available percussionists and instruments.  
 

Lime Juice (Solo Marimba, Grade III), $14 paper, $10 digital

Lime Juice is a challenging, paradiddle-based four-mallet marimba solo for the intermediate player. It assist in developing a strong bass mallet technique along with precise intervallic control in the RH. Once the player establishes a flowing groove it's a ton of fun.  Like Some Uptown Hip-Hop, the harmony is simple to follow. Chords are also provided so the arrangement can be played with others, for example bass/bass marimba and congas. There is an improvisation section, with optional notated "solo" provided. Written for a 4.3 octave marimba.

The same lead part is identical to that of the Percussion Ensemble arrangement. Once a student learns the solo part they can be featured with the ensemble! Lime Juice is a very popular piece around the world, part of the standard repertoire for Percussion Ensemble. It's often used a feel-good concert closer. Like Some Uptown, there is flexibility to add additional available percussionists and instruments.  

VIBES SOLOS

Crystal Mallet  (Vibes Solo, Grade III), $9.95 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

Four mallet solo for beginning/intermediate players. Balanced technique and dynamic control will bring this meditative, shimmering S-A-T-B piece to life. Short, sweet and impactful, Crystal Mallet has proven to be a perfect recital piece for students in all corners of the world.

Kaleidoscope (Vibes Solo, Grade IV), $12.50 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

Similar S-A-T-B structure and exploration as Crystal Mallet for the more advance player. Grade 4/5. Very popular follow-up piece after Crystal Mallet is mastered.  Challenging four-mallet chordal work. Utilizes edges of bars in one passage. 

Ave Maria (Solo Vibes, Grade III), $9 digital

Schubert's classic arranged beautifully for four mallets on a 3-octave vibraphone. The last page can be challenging, but the tempo is slow enough to take the time you wish for phrasing and musicality which, in turn, will allow more time for the correct notes. A gorgeous mood piece everyone will enjoy playing in a variety of performance settings. 
 

Waltz For Debby (Solo Vibes, Grade IV), $12 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

This jazz classic by Bill Evans, in 3/4 time, is the "Step 8" four-mallet arrangement found in the Vibes Real Book. Playing through this piece, among the many things you will learn is how to voice standard jazz chords with extensions (9th;s, etc).  When the piece gets to performance level, you'll have an easy time Swinging this full sounding arrangement. Suitable for a college recital, or solo gig - like five other "Step 8's" in the Vibes Real Book. Requires solid control of four mallets and independence possibilities.

MARIMBA/VIBES DUOS

Space Dancer (Grade II), $14.95 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

Space Dancer is a fun, funky duo for vibes and marimba. Great piece for two-mallet players. A percussionist can easily be added to make it a trio. Improvisation on the simple chords can be added in the middle or end of the arrangement. Lipner wrote this as a solo and actually plays both parts at the same time in this video link with John Wooton!

Pramantha (Grade III), $14.95 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

Pramantha is a beautiful, shimmering, sensitive piece in 7/4 for two mallet players.  The improvisation sections are notated making the piece "composed through."  Players and audiences alike will enjoy its meditative and crystal clear quality. Recorded version below features Lipner & Michael Burritt. Arthur also recorded Pramantha on his first band album "In Any Language" with highly acclaimed guitarist Vic Juris. Pramantha composed by guitarist/producer Jack DeSalvo (Unseen Rain Records). 

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Some Uptown Hip-Hop, comp. Lipner arr. Ron Brough (8+ players, Grade II), $35 digital & physical


Popular Calypso arrangement simple enough for Middle School ensembles, fun enough for university level! Add more solos and percussion breaks if you wish. Flexible instrumentation allows for additional players to double misc percussion or add whatever else may be available to build the groove and ensemble sound.  Add a deep cowbell on 1 & 3, if a player is available, to help hold the time together.

Lime Juice, comp. Lipner arr. Ron Brough (9+ players, Grade III), $35 digital & physical

This jazz classic by Bill Evans, in 3/4 time, is the "Step 8" four-mallet arrangement found in the Vibes Real Book. Playing through this piece, among the many things you will learn is how to voice standard jazz chords with extensions (9th;s, etc).  When the piece gets to performance level, you'll have an easy time Swinging this full sounding arrangement. Suitable for a college recital, or solo gig - like five other "Step 8's" in the Vibes Real Book. Requires solid control of four mallets and independence possibilities.

City Soca, comp. Lipner arr. Mark Ford (Solo Vibes, Grade III), $35 digital & physical 

Great arrangement with pans (Lead, Double 2nds, Cello) of a song from Lipner’s first band album “In Any Language” (1990).  Pan parts can be played on mallets instead. Excellent groove tune! Can be expanded with more players to suite your ensemble. The Aux Perc parts can be split amongst four players and play the entire song.  Add extra solos, players and breaks for more excitement. Add a deep cowbell on 1 & 3,
if a player is available, to help hold the time together. 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE, Vibes & Marimba Features
comp. Lipner, arr. Bob Mintzer

24 Jam (Vibes & Marimba, Grade IV), $40 digital 

(5/4/4, Vibes/Marimba, P-B-Drs) 17 total parts + Score 
24 Jam is a fun, lively piece for Big Band. It's a vibes & marimba feature (one player plays both, or split the part among two players) with a cool Samba feel and open solo sections. After the solos is a rhytmically challenging ensemble section which builds up to a break where the melody returns DS al Coda. Lipner suggests setting up the vibes and marimba toward the front of the stage, in front of the piano/rhythm section in clear view. 2 mics per instrument will be needed since this is a mallet feature. This piece and Cabana En El Sol will showcase your mallet players, delighting the audience along the way! Great rhythm section workout in cut time @ qtr=120! Grade IV/V of VI.

Cabana En El Sol (Vibes & Marimba, Grade IV), $40 digital 

Cabana En El Sol for Big Band is a sunshine-filled medium tempo Cha-Cha that grooves hard. Scored as a vibes and marimba feature, these two parts can be played by one person or shared by two players. There are two solo sections. The first is in the Cha-cha feel, the second a double time Swing feel. Lipner suggests setting up the vibes and marimba toward the front of the stage, in front of the piano/rhythm section in clear view. 2 mics per instrument will be needed since this is a mallet feature. This piece and 24 Jam will showcase your mallet players, delighting the audience along the way! Grade III/IV of VI.

MORE MUSIC!

Waltz For Debby (Solo Vibes, Grade IV), $9 digital, physical copy available from dealers 

This jazz classic by Bill Evans, in 3/4 time, is the "Step 8" four-mallet arrangement found in the Vibes Real Book. Playing through this piece, among the many things you will learn is how to voice standard jazz chords with extensions (9th;s, etc).  When the piece gets to performance level, you'll have an easy time Swinging this full sounding arrangement. Suitable for a college recital, or solo gig - like five other "Step 8's" in the Vibes Real Book. Requires solid control of four mallets and independence possibilities.

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