A Brief History Of Keyboard Percussion & Its Players

Mallet and keyboard percussion instruments have been an integral part of music for centuries. The marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, and glockenspiel are some of the most well-known instruments in this family. These instruments have been used in various genres of music, including classical, jazz, and popular music. In this article, we will explore the complete history of mallet and keyboard percussion instruments, highlighting notable players, genres, and modern adaptations.

Marimba

The marimba is a percussion instrument that consists of a set of wooden bars that are struck with mallets. It has a resonator beneath each bar that amplifies the sound. The marimba is believed to have originated in Africa and was brought to Central and South America by African slaves. The modern marimba that we know today evolved in Guatemala in the early 20th century. The first chromatic marimba was invented by Mexican musician Manuel Jimenez in the early 1900s.

The marimba gained popularity in classical music during the 20th century. Notable classical marimba players include Keiko Abe, Leigh Howard Stevens, and Evelyn Glennie. Keiko Abe is one of the most influential marimba players of all time. She is known for her virtuosic playing and innovative compositions. Abe is also known for developing the "traditional cross" four-mallet technique that has become a standard technique in marimba playing.

Leigh Howard Stevens is another influential marimba player who is known for developing the Stevens technique, which is a four-mallet grip that allows for more complex playing, and independent maneuvering of each mallet in the hand. Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist who is known for her exceptional playing and her advocacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing musicians. Evelyn was the first person in the world to make a career as a solo percussionist, either out the front of orchestras, performing her own material, or collaborating with other artists. 

Xylophone

The xylophone is a percussion instrument that is similar to the marimba, but it has a brighter, more piercing sound. The xylophone is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and was brought to Europe by Dutch colonialists in the 17th century. The modern xylophone that we know today evolved in the 19th century.

The xylophone has been used in various genres of music, including classical, jazz, and popular music. In classical music, the xylophone is often used in orchestral settings. Notable xylophone players in classical music include Morris Goldenberg and George Hamilton Green. Morris Goldenberg was an American percussionist who is known for his instructional books on percussion playing. George Hamilton Green was a xylophonist who is known for his virtuosic playing and his pioneering recordings.

In jazz, the xylophone is often used as a solo instrument playing rags and such. Notable jazz xylophone players include Red Norvo and Teddy Charles. Red Norvo was a jazz vibraphonist and xylophonist who is known for his innovative playing and his collaboration with Benny Goodman. Teddy Charles is a jazz vibraphonist and xylophonist who is known for his use of polytonality and his innovative compositions.

Vibraphone

The vibraphone is a percussion instrument that is similar to the xylophone and marimba, but it has metal bars that are struck with mallets. The vibraphone has a unique sound that is created by metal resonators that vibrate when the bars are struck. The modern vibraphone was invented by Hermann Winterhoff in 1921 in Germany.

The vibraphone has been used in various genres of music, including jazz, classical, and popular music. In jazz, the vibraphone is often used as a solo instrument. Notable jazz vibraphone players include Gary Burton, Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, and Bobby Hutcherson. Gary Burton is a jazz vibraphonist who is known for his innovative playing and his use of four-mallet technique. His grip basically took the "traditional cross" system developed by Keiko Abe, and flipped the mallets around so the outside was now on top of the inside mallet, in each hand. This allowed for counter-leaver or see-saw type approach to moving the mallets apart.

Lionel Hampton was a jazz vibraphonist and bandleader who is known for his energetic playing and his collaboration with Benny Goodman. Milt Jackson was a jazz vibraphonist who is known for his bluesy playing and his collaborations with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Bobby Hutcherson was a jazz vibraphonist who is known for his adventurous playing and his innovative compositions.

In classical music, the vibraphone is often used in orchestral settings. Notable classical vibraphone players include Robert van Sice and Christopher Deane. Robert van Sice is a percussionist who is known for his virtuosic playing and his innovative compositions. Christopher Deane is a percussionist who is known for his pedagogical work and his collaborations with contemporary composers.

The vibraphone has also been used in popular music, particularly in the genre of exotica. Notable exotica vibraphone players include Arthur Lyman and Martin Denny. Arthur Lyman was a vibraphonist who is known for his recordings of Hawaiian and Polynesian music. Martin Denny was a pianist and composer who is known for his influential recordings of exotica music.

Glockenspiel

The glockenspiel is a percussion instrument that is similar to the xylophone and vibraphone, but it has smaller metal bars that are struck with mallets. The glockenspiel has a bright, high-pitched sound that is often used in orchestral settings. The modern glockenspiel evolved in Germany in the 19th century.

The glockenspiel has been used in various genres of music, including classical, popular, and theater music. In classical music, the glockenspiel is often used in orchestral settings. Notable classical glockenspiel players include Paul Price and Thomas Akins. Paul Price was an American percussionist who is known for his work with the New York Philharmonic. Thomas Akins is a percussionist who is known for his work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

In popular music, the glockenspiel is often used as a decorative or melodic instrument. Notable glockenspiel players in popular music include Chris Bear of Grizzly Bear and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend. Chris Bear is a drummer and percussionist who is known for his melodic playing and his use of the glockenspiel in Grizzly Bear's music. Rostam Batmanglij is a multi-instrumentalist who is known for his work with Vampire Weekend and his solo work.

In theater music, the glockenspiel is often used in pit orchestras. Notable glockenspiel players in theater music include Jim Eklof, who is known for his work on the Broadway show "Wicked," and Kenny Grohowski, who is known for his work on the Broadway show "Hamilton."

Modern Adaptations

Mallet and keyboard percussion instruments have continued to evolve in the modern era. One example of a modern adaptation is the MalletKAT, which is an electronic mallet controller that allows players to trigger samples and play virtual instruments. The MalletKAT was invented by Mario DeCiutiis in the 1980s and has since become a popular tool for musicians who want to incorporate electronic sounds into their performances.

Another example of a modern adaptation is the Xylosynth, which is a MIDI mallet controller that allows players to trigger virtual instruments and samples. The Xylosynth was invented by electronic music artist Dave Smith in the 1990s and has since been used by a variety of musicians in genres such as jazz, rock, and electronic music.

Notable Players

There have been many notable players of mallet and keyboard percussion instruments throughout history. Here are a few examples:

Keiko Abe - Keiko Abe is a Japanese marimba player and composer who is known for her virtuosic playing and her contributions to the development of the marimba as a solo instrument. She has recorded over 20 albums and has composed over 200 works for marimba.

Leigh Howard Stevens - Leigh Howard Stevens is an American marimba player who is known for his development of the Stevens grip, which is a four-mallet technique for playing the marimba. He has recorded several albums and has collaborated with many contemporary composers.

Evelyn Glennie - Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist who is known for her virtuosic playing and her advocacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing musicians. She has recorded over 30 albums and has collaborated with many contemporary composers.

Gary Burton - Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist who is known for his innovative playing and his use of four-mallet technique. He has recorded over 70 albums and has collaborated with many jazz musicians, including Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Stan Getz.

Joe Locke - Joe Locke is an American jazz vibraphonist who is known for his adventurous playing and his innovative compositions. He has recorded over 30 albums and has collaborated with many jazz musicians, including Geoffrey Keezer, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Ron Carter.

Dave Friedman - Dave Friedman is an American vibraphonist and percussionist who is known for his versatile playing and his work as a sideman with many jazz musicians, including Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and McCoy Tyner.

Dave Samuels was a virtuoso vibraphonist and marimba player who made significant contributions to the world of jazz and Latin music. He was known for his innovative techniques and complex rhythmic patterns that inspired many contemporary mallet players.

Gordon Stout is a highly acclaimed composer, performer, and educator in the world of percussion. He is best known for his compositions for marimba and other mallet instruments, which have become standard repertoire for many professional and aspiring musicians.

Nebosja Zivkovic is a Serbian percussionist and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. He is best known for his innovative compositions for marimba, vibraphone, and other mallet instruments that push the boundaries of traditional percussion music.

Ludwig Albert is a Belgian percussionist and teacher who is highly regarded for his virtuosic performances on marimba and other mallet instruments. He has also made significant contributions to the pedagogy of mallet playing, having trained many successful professional musicians in his career.

Conclusion

Mallet and keyboard percussion instruments have a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From the ancient xylophones of Africa to the modern electronic controllers of today, these instruments have continued to evolve and inspire musicians in a wide variety of genres.

Whether played in orchestras, jazz ensembles, or rock bands, mallet and keyboard percussion instruments have a unique sound that adds depth and character to any musical performance. And with top players leading the way, it is clear that these instruments will continue to be an important part of the musical landscape for years to come.