Embracing Uncertainty (Solo 4-Mallet Marimba)

This piece aims to capture this feeling of uncertainty and encourages the mindset of Embracing Uncertainty in all of life’s endeavors. Bookended by mysterious rolled sections, this 6-1/2 minute marimba solo features grooves in 7/8, 4/4, 6/4, and 5/8, keeping both the performer & the audience on their toes.

Genre: Marimba (4-mallet) | # of Players: 1
Series: N/A
Level: Medium Advanced | Duration: 6:30

Instrumentation
5-octave Marimba

Program Notes
I was inspired to write this piece after reading two books. “Unfu*k Yourself” by Gary John Bishop and “The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music” by Victor Wooten. Chapter 5 of the Bishop book talks about our fears of the unknown, and how we allow ourselves to remain comfortable in a variety of situations in our lives because of fear. Bishop extinguishes this mindset by reminding us that life’s greatest experiences originate from a sense of uncertainty and that embracing uncertainty leads to greater fulfillment. The Wooten book reinvigorated my astonishment of music’s power, and provoked recollections of how I felt when I first began my musical journey.

Both these books inspired and reminded me of some of my most treasured musical experiences. All of them emerged from a place of self-doubt and uncertainty, but have helped me to grow and appreciate music even more.

This piece aims to capture this feeling of uncertainty and encourages the mindset of Embracing Uncertainty in all of life’s endeavors.

Performed by Oliver Xu