Ludwig Albert Reviews

“In the summer of 2006, when I decided to participate in Ludwig Albert Marimba Academy, I didn’t know that my way of playing marimba would take such a remarkable turn. I have already participated in several master classes with renowned names in the marimba world, but I’ve never seen marimba with such a clear and objective technique as the one I’ve found with professor Ludwig Albert’s approach. The way movement helps in understanding musical sentences and nuances, as well as in the musicality of an interpretation makes all sense, and it will be certainly an historical mark in marimba’s world helping future marimba players to really heighten this amazing instrument.”

“Prof. Ludwig Albert’s method is very helpful to make to groove and phrase the music. When I started to study marimba with Prof Albert, I knew that I played every piece too fast and with a flat interpretation. After 4 years of study, I understand what kind of groove or phrasing is needed and to come forward to the composer’s expectations in musical interpretations”.

“It is with utmost certainty that my immense passion and love for the marimba would not have grown without the kind, gentle and passionate musical guidance of Mr. Albert. Never afraid of a challenge, he demonstrated how the application of every movement, facial expression and breath played an integral part of every piece of music. I consider myself truly lucky to have encountered his great musical philosophy full of both natural dramatically and contrasting movements. It is my wish that any student, dreaming of becoming a marimba performer, have the opportunity to encounter Ludwig’s magical techniques and that his teachings be shared around the world.”

I consider Ludwig Albert’s method as significant for every marimbist who wish to discover different sound colors on the marimba. This method introduce a diversity of important ways in playing marimba. Apart from the sound varieties which enriches the knowledge and expand the performing abilities, one can learn how to achieve a freedom in body movement and simply enjoy playing music without any tension.

“Professor Albert showed me the sonic richness of the marimba. He teaches the importance of ‘body’ movement to achieve a good sound. Since then, I was aware of this and was looking for the best sound and the largest number of sonic possibilities that I could offer as an interpreter. His advices helped me to discover a new world of sounds that today enriches all my interpretations. I deeply appreciate all his advices and that I had the opportunity to hear his ideas and creativity.”

“Albert’s method reach a decent sonority by incorporated and optimal body movement. His method is based on his musical approach and personal experiences. The clear definition of 59 strokes can be applied in a lyrical performance. Surely this method is the one also to have in the pocket.”

“Mr. Albert’s approach to develop an optimal sound and musicality through movement helped me in all the possible ways that I could think of. I’ve arrived to improve my sound, my technique and my musicality in levels that I wouldn’t even imagine before I’ve got to work with his approach. For me personally, it was also really amusing, because from the very beginning the method is very practical and based in musical concepts. Even when I just started working in really easy pieces and really basic exercises, I was playing music, and even more important; I was thinking about the music and not just its technical aspect. Through, movements, through phrasings, through coloring, through singing, this is what was all about ; ‘playing music’. This method showed me a whole new world of possibilities, opening an infinite pat of creativeness, autonomy and constant development. The concept which mostly helped me from the method, is that I didn’t learn only ‘how’ to move, or ‘how’ to phrase in sudden specific pieces; but -even more important- I learned ‘why’ I may move or not in a sudden moment, or ‘why’ I may phrase or not one sudden section. Based on this idea, I believe that this method works for players from all levels and all cultural background because it gives the tools and the scientific information to help each one progress in his way and based in his musical needs. Mr. Albert’s approach simply changed my life!”

Dr. Ludwig Albert’s innovative research is now available in this excellent book, ‘place book title here’. He has proven, using both subjective and objective research, that moving and using the entire body affects the sounds and tonal colors that can be made by marimbists. Mallets, grips, stroke types and descriptions of body movements are included. This visionary work is moving marimba performance from a singular focus on sticking patterns and basic technical execution to a higher level of serious musicianship and sophisticated musical interpretation. Highly recommended!”

“I will never forget the 2 years marimba training I had in Leuven with Prof. Ludwig Albert. The mallet grip techniques, the method of body and stroke movements (40+ different strokes), the way to create various marimba sounds he taught, helped me take a big step forward towards better marimba performance, and also shaped my own sound through body controlled movement. His passion for performance, deep knowledge, and mastery of instrumental technique opened my eyes and inspired me to think outside the box without limit. His continuous support over the past two years has been priceless and has given me a better sense of direction in both my life and career. I offer my sincere gratitude to him.”

“Ludwig Albert’s method of movement in marimba playing had a pivotal impact on my professional career as a percussion artist. Thanks to this method my marimba phrasing started to be fluent, my sound control and quality of the sound improved significantly. I can’t imagine performing without a knowledge of this method anymore.”

“The Movin’grips method approach enables the performer to express precise musical expressions and profound sounds. Hence, this text will provide a great direction for students learning marimba. I believe by reading this book, students can further develop and enhance their musical potential.”

“It is the path I have been looking for since I play marimba, a written diary about body movements and strokes to go into the sound, experiment it and play with it.”

“As a former student of the author and developer of the method, I had the opportunity to learn this method from the inside with a lot of insights. Throughout these years and now in my professional life, Movin’grips are programmed in my body. This method has changed the way I create the sound on the instrument, the way I move in function of music and has remarkably enriched my musicality and body language in general. I can apply it not only on marimba, but also on other percussion instruments and the benefits and possibilities of the sound production are endless. Movin’grips gave me complete freedom!”

“The movement approach helped us explore all different sonorous possibilities of the marimba. It gives us freedom in expressing the full, rich sound spectrum of the instrument, while performing.”

“Reading Movin’grips is how I plan to celebrate the birthday of the amazing Ludwig Albert today! You are such a great inspiration and I am so grateful for all the wisdom you’ve been sharing with me.”