Photo by Scott Pickering

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mark Tree

More than a one trick pony…

Aren’t you glad that studio musician, Mark Stevens invented the mark tree back in the late 60‘s? Also know as bar chimes, the mark tree can help set an ethereal mood, wash into a half-time section, or sweep the music into a modulation.



The instrument is capable of more than the oft-used stereotypical high to low glissando.
 You can…
  • Glissando low to high
  • Glissando using a light touch with a triangle beater
  • Start in the middle with both hands and move outward in both directions slowly
  • Produce a burst of sound using both hands to quickly set all the cylinders in motion
  • Create a wind chimes effect ---gently moving the cylinders into one another
Resist the temptation to overuse the mark tree. Keeping this timbre rare maximizes the effect of its shimmering beauty.
When you invest in a mark tree, get a long one …and a supply of replacement ties!

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