I hope you had a nice Valentine's Day and President's Day. I enjoyed some extra free time this weekend as my regular teaching was off. I watched one of the movies that inspired this week's challenge! 

Today, I'm excited to share "Key Change Challenge #2!" (Miyazaki Film ver.)" 🥳

(You can download the PDF, click track, and reference MIDI via the button below)

Who loves Studio Ghibli films by Hayao Miyazaki? I do!🙋🏻‍♀️ It's safe to say that all Japanese children grow up watching his classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, and Nausicaa in the Valley of the Wind, and more. My name "Chihiro" is more known in the U.S. and the world because of his film Spirited Away, thanks to Miyazaki! Music by Joe Hisaishi certainly elevates all of his films. They are so many wonderful melodies that I love.

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That's why I made this challenge featuring his music. This is a sequel to the “Key Change Challenge (holiday ver.)”. If you enjoy this kind of challenge, check that one, too.

This challenge will train your ability to:

• React & process different key signatures quickly

• Change tempo right away

• Play with a click track

How to Practice:

• I recommend that you sightread this the first time you try playing so that you can test your sight-reading ability

• Practice with the click track

• Record yourself to double-check your accuracy

As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments, requests, or questions by replying to this email. It’s my goal to make this newsletter as useful to you as possible!

Here is an inspirational quote from legendary pianist Chick Corea, who recently left the world. I never got to meet him, but I've been his fan - his album Crystal Silence with Gary Burton is my favorite. Every obituary written by my friends who had met or worked with him taught me how humble and generous he was. This quote really sums up his admirable attitude towards learning.

"My one thing is I continue to be interested and want to be a student. I don't want to be a master. When I'm learning something, I'm in my element." - Chick Corea

Have a wonderful week & Happy Practicing!

Chihiro

I hope you are having a relaxing holiday season. I have been staying inside, cooking/ eating way too much sugar, and catching up on reading. 

Today, I'm sharing my "4 Mallet Twinkle - daily warm up" 🥳 (You can download the PDF via the link)

I realized that many 4 Mallet method books have basic exercises that are not so “musical”. While it is great for working on a specific technique, it’s not so great for developing a good sense of phrasing. I’m all about efficiency and killing two birds with one stone when it comes to practicing!

That’s why I wrote this warm up based on the “Twinkle Twinkle” tune that everyone knows. 

This resource can be used to:

• Warm up 4-mallet playing daily 

• Evaluate each hand’s technique carefully

• Work on controlling dynamics on each mallet by bring out the familiar melody 

• Develop a great sense of musicality while warming up

• Cover most of basic 4 mallet marimba techniques such as independence, double stops, and rolls all in this 2-page warm up

By the way, I use the traditional grip or cross grip for 4-mallet playing. I believe that no matter what grip you play, you can learn to be excellent, as long as you give enough time to work on it and the grip is physically fit for you. If any of you want to try learning or have questions about traditional grip, I’m happy to help. You can always reach me at “chihiro@chihiroshibayama.com”

Lastly, I'd like to share a dose of inspiration with you! ⭐️

“. .the most crucial ingredient by far for success in music is . . .what happens in the practice room.” - William Westney, American Pianist 

I hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday season 🥳

Happy (holiday) Practicing!

Chihiro

Today, I'm sharing a brand new practice challenge called "Key Change Challenge 1 (holiday ver.)"!🥳 You can download the PDF & click track here. 

This challenge is inspired by my days performing at Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where I played 90 min non-stop of holiday music all on click track up to 6 times a day! Broadway shows and film scores often have a lot of key changes and tempo changes. 

This challenge will train your ability to:

• react & process different key signatures quickly

• change tempo right away

• play with a click track

If you dare to do the challenge in public, please tag me on Instagram @chihiroplayspercussion with a hashtag #keychangechallenge - GOOD LUCK! 👍