The ethicality implemented throughout the music of the past tends to stay towards one side of things; most pieces looked at in a wind band or orchestra nowadays are older pieces composed by old white males. Now it isn’t unlikely in 2020 to come across some exploration of newer music, however, new music made by today’s composers still has a harder time making its way to an audience. Historically, pieces composed by the ‘old white male’ figure have a stronger tendency to gain popularity due to class, race, and other factors.

As a percussionist I tend to perform almost anything, marimba works are typically my favourite to play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyJmfen_v2U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSmt-BNM5OU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9lldV4TcFI

I selected these pieces as they sound appealing to me, not too difficult, and still challenging. Finding solo works to learn is difficult as I can spend 2 hours going through music and only find one or two pieces that actually sound appealing to me to play. Typically when searching for marimba solo works I will try to find some newer pieces by modern composers. However, when it comes to something like snare drum techniques there tends to be a typical set of exercises and there are some specific pieces that are known as “the pieces” if you will- the ones that everybody plays at least some of. 

 

The quote from Nietzsche puzzles me a little, however to me it means to not dwell on things that have happened or it may hinder qualities or progression of learning from experience. When you are capable of knowing your strengths and are able to put them forth then you can use those to learn from past experiences. Try to enjoy things as well, otherwise, the learning experiences that you were hoping to get may just be dragging you down.