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I composed these etudes as a collection of short technical and musical scenarios that can be presented in concert. I have tried to deal with technical aspects that I have only seen approached non-directly in large works, while also exploring new possibilities for the instrument. I was inspired by some composer/performer pianists, such as Chopin and Liszt, as well as works by György Ligeti and György Kurtág. Each of the etudes are inspired by a composer and/or a specific composition, which are listed below the etude title. If the practitioner is not familiar with the composer or the piece that the etude is inspired by, it is my recommendation that they listen to their music and/or the composition, to better understand their influence on the etude. My hope is that we have not yet found the boundaries of this instrument, and that we can continue to help further its development both technically and musically.
Endorsements
Steven Schick –
"These inventive etudes, composed by virtuoso percussionist Stephen Solook, seem ideal for the intermediate to advanced percussionist, who seeks to combine a solid technical course of study with styles and aesthetics drawn from contemporary music. Both useful and musically relevant, these etudes are highly recommended."
Gordon Stout –
“Vibraphone Etudes For Extending Technique, by Stephen Solook is a collection of original compositions that you will thoroughly enjoy, not only for their obvious interest and elegance structurally, but even more so for the “wow factor”. Upon getting to know these Etudes and watching Stephen artfully perform them on YouTube: Why didn’t I think of this myself? Taking effects that some of us have seen or heard in various individual and unique moments in existing literature, Stephen Solook has creative these fascinating Etudes to expose in depth these wonderful and varied effects for solo vibraphone. These should be required study for all serious mallet percussionists.”
Jan Williams –
“Vibraphone extended techniques have largely remained unexplored, that is until now. Stephen Solook’s Vibraphone Etudes for Extending Technique is an indispensable collection of short pieces that not only introduce new techniques, but do so in the context of highly original, recital worthy works.”
Layer & Coordination Etude – We, as percussionists, can be required to use several limbs and voice at the same time. I felt a controlled situation where a performer could identify how to work on these issues could help technically and would also be musically beneficial.
Resonator Etudes * – Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Mikrophonie I (1964), for tam tam, microphones, and potentiometers, uses items to reflect, amplify, and focus sounds produced from a tam tam. This is the basic concept that inspired these etudes. The mouth vibrato and hand vibrato are techniques that percussionists have occasionally shown to composers as an extended technique.
Resonator Etude 1 excerpt
Resonator Etude 2 excerpt
Resonator Etude 3 excerpt
Three “Voices” Etude – I was initially interested in writing a fugue but wanted to emphasize a more specific vibraphone or percussion centric concept, playing with different implements at the same time.
Bright/Dark Etude – To explore techniques in creating specific tone qualities on vibraphone, I created a scenario where a player could execute one tone and then change to a different tone, while not having to worry much about rhythm or notes.
The Outside Etudes – These two etudes were composed to help the performers identify issues with playing on the outer ends of the instrument.
Outside Etude excerpt
Two Outside excerpt
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