Mexican Marimba Bands vs. Paul Creston Musical Comparison By: Joshua Frank

Region The central American marimba has spread through ought Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica. The central American marimba has spread through ought Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica. Primary location for popular Mexican marimba music is Chiapas, Mexico. Primary location for popular Mexican marimba music is Chiapas, Mexico. (state symbol of Chiapas)

Chiapas, Mexico (Demographics) Size: 73,289 km 2 (28,297 sq mi). Size: 73,289 km 2 (28,297 sq mi). Population: 4,293,459 (2005). Population: 4,293,459 (2005). Ethnicities: 55% Mestizo, 40% indigenous (Mayan descent), 5% other. Ethnicities: 55% Mestizo, 40% indigenous (Mayan descent), 5% other. Religion: practice either Catholicism or other faiths introduced through vast immigration, very diverse area. Religion: practice either Catholicism or other faiths introduced through vast immigration, very diverse area. Poor and undeveloped economy, its population consists mostly of rural farmers. Poor and undeveloped economy, its population consists mostly of rural farmers. Southern most state of Mexico, most likely influenced by neighboring central American countries. Southern most state of Mexico, most likely influenced by neighboring central American countries.

Marimba Bands of Mexico This music is performed by small ensembles on the streets and establishments of Mexico. This music is performed by small ensembles on the streets and establishments of Mexico. May feature additional instruments, but for the most part consists solely of multiple performers on one or more marimbas. May feature additional instruments, but for the most part consists solely of multiple performers on one or more marimbas. Tourists usually associate the sound of these musicians as poolside vacation music, but marimba bands can vary in both appearance and performance image. Tourists usually associate the sound of these musicians as poolside vacation music, but marimba bands can vary in both appearance and performance image.

Marimba The Mexican marimbas used by these bands are usually 4-5 octaves of carved wooden keys secured over hanging resonators. The Mexican marimbas used by these bands are usually 4-5 octaves of carved wooden keys secured over hanging resonators. Both keys and resonators vary in size, coinciding with their distinct pitch (lower pitches=bigger keys/resonators, higher pitches=smaller keys/resonators). Both keys and resonators vary in size, coinciding with their distinct pitch (lower pitches=bigger keys/resonators, higher pitches=smaller keys/resonators). Performers play on keys with mallets, holding up to as many as 3 in each hand. Performers play on keys with mallets, holding up to as many as 3 in each hand.

Additional Instruments Guitar and Bass Guitar and Bass –Both acoustic and electric, 4-6 string. Steel Drums Steel Drums –Big metal containers hammered inward/outward to produce a range of voices from soprano to bass. Percussion Percussion –Small acoustic hand drums (congas, cajon, etc.), shakers, bells, rarely features actual drum set.

(maracas) (cajon) (cow bell) (congas) (steel drum) (acoustic guitar) (marimba)

Mexican Marimba Music In contrast to the more casual street performed music, this is a professionally recorded piece. In contrast to the more casual street performed music, this is a professionally recorded piece. “Jugo de Piña” (“Pineapple Juice”) performed by La Marimba Orquesta de Chiapas. “Jugo de Piña” (“Pineapple Juice”) performed by La Marimba Orquesta de Chiapas. Featuring harmonized marimba melody over additional instruments traditionally played in marimba bands. Featuring harmonized marimba melody over additional instruments traditionally played in marimba bands. WOGNaw&feature=related

Paul Creston Born October 10, 1906 in New York City as an Italian American growing up in urban America. Born October 10, 1906 in New York City as an Italian American growing up in urban America. Birth name was Birth name was Giuseppe Guttoveggio, but changed to Paul Creston once he entered the world of composing. August 24, 1985 in San Diego, CA after his poor recovery from surgery dealing with a malignant tumor. Died August 24, 1985 in San Diego, CA after his poor recovery from surgery dealing with a malignant tumor.

Biography Lived in a poor household of Italian immigrants, occasionally visiting Sicily with his mother. Lived in a poor household of Italian immigrants, occasionally visiting Sicily with his mother. Creston took and surpassed elementary music lessons as a child, but was forced to drop out of school all together at age 15 to help support his family. Creston took and surpassed elementary music lessons as a child, but was forced to drop out of school all together at age 15 to help support his family. Eventually found work as a church organist, allowing him to create and publish his “ future advocate Henry Cowell. Eventually found work as a church organist, allowing him to create and publish his work “Seven Theses” with the help of future advocate Henry Cowell. Accepted a teaching position at Cummington School of the Arts in Massachusetts, launching his popularity in the music community. Accepted a teaching position at Cummington School of the Arts in Massachusetts, launching his popularity in the music community. Finding success as a great American composer, Creston wrote music for television shows and approximately 121 original compositions. Finding success as a great American composer, Creston wrote music for television shows and approximately 121 original compositions.

“Concertino for Marimba” Completed and dedicated to Frederique Petrides, conductor of the Orchestrette Classique, in March of Completed and dedicated to Frederique Petrides, conductor of the Orchestrette Classique, in March of Written in 3 movements; Vigorous, Calm, Lively. Written in 3 movements; Vigorous, Calm, Lively. Using meters such as 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. Using meters such as 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8. This piece revolutionized the use of percussive instruments in classical musical. This piece revolutionized the use of percussive instruments in classical musical. For the first time, percussion carried the main melody. For the first time, percussion carried the main melody.

Composition Comparison will focus on “Vigorous”, the first movement of Creston’s composition. Comparison will focus on “Vigorous”, the first movement of Creston’s composition. The piece revolves around a soloing marimba with transitions (usually done by an orchestra) featuring a rhythm piano part. The piece revolves around a soloing marimba with transitions (usually done by an orchestra) featuring a rhythm piano part. ch?v=7fyY3bn0Ur8

Musical Comparison “Jugo de Piña” “Jugo de Piña” –constant flowing rhythm –percussion to drive tempo, 4/4 meter –harmonized consecutive melodies –more simplistic scales and theory “Concertino For Marimba” “Concertino For Marimba” –sudden phrase changes –3/4 meter –solo melody –complex scales and theory Similarities Similarities –marimba medium –rolling sustains –rhythms on the upbeat –feature both melody and lead voice

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