New, what to do?

You'll surely get better advice from advanced players, but here are two links with a few lessons on the site for people starting:
- Search with key word "beginner": http://www.vibesworkshop.com/search/node/Beginner%20%20%20Beginners?pag…
- From the V-Book lessons: www.vibesworkshop.com/node/6446/

I too started recently with no teacher in my suroundings... The piano will definately help you for the harmony and knowledge of notes on the vibes.

From what I've been adviced when I started with 4 mallets I would say:
- Start with the Burton grip, unless someone can really show you the Steven's (you can change as soon as you want).
- Watch Gary himself showing you in detail here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfHoqV1ng5M
- Don't fear to hold the 4 mallets even if you first will use 2: your hands will get used to them and you'll progressively use the two others.
- Try to remain relaxe and build your hands with simple exercises... to follow on the site, or simply messing around on the instrument... for the pleasure!

Then... well, never fear to ask questions from lessons of the site: you'll get answers. AND do never ever fear to post your work on the site (as comment added with audio file from the lessons). It's a great, great tool to improve as you will need to record yourself, listen, be heard by others and get feed back! And of course, doing a little each day is always better than hours suddenly... but this I'm sure you perfectly know!

Who's next to welcome Pax?

Oh I forgot: good luck, have great fun, and keep us informed when your instrument arrives!! :o)

Marie

welcome pax,

i think it´s great if people in your age start to learn a new instrument (i´m 42 started vibes at 28)

as you said you play piano, you won´t have big problems with harmony or which notes play on the vibes. i would spent some time on doing proper strokes like on a drum set and try to learn the grip. just my 2 cents...marie gave you the best hints for starting on the sites...but there´s so much information and so much gems here...just look around and hope you like it and post some stuff you are doing!!!

tarik

Hello Pax,
welcome to the site,
I hope you have a great journey discovering percussion and specially the vibraphone.
As a beginner you may quickly experiment physical limitation (rebound and fulcrum problems)
don't be afraid if you get a good start (as vibraman advices) you'll feel soon comfortable.
Here are a couple of hints from a technical approach (to help you not get glued with technique)

Of course you can start with 4 mallets in the hands, but I suggest you understand first the physics of percussion (in fact you should alternate practice session of 4 and 2 mallets)

My advice would be (for a 2 mallet start): try to find the good balance point of the stick (like the length of the rope on a balançoire) and pay attention to the amount of pressure between the thumb and the index. Then when the attack of the sound is good to your hear try to focus on the sustain (pedal) and finally focus on the movement on the sticks (moving arund the instrument)

About the site, believe Marie, she knows every lesson :o)

tifoo

VW.COM is my only teacher and it is a good one. I first looked around, and chose excercises I was interested in, and on the road I found my way. I'm 1,5 years here now, and the massive things I learned here is incredible for that period I think. + being in contact with all these great players, and students boosts my motivation.

I mostly play 4 mallets, and I use the Burton grip. I agree with M-N : even if you play only with 2, hold 4 sticks in your hand. That way, it becomes quickly natural, and makes it easier to make the step towards 4 mallets.

Greetings, and have fun.
Stefan.

And like everyone said : Don't be afraid to post. All the feedback is great to learn, and it helps you to move forward.