Satis Coleman The Marimba Book
The Marimba Book was originally published in 1943. The full title is The Marimba Book: How to Make Marimbas and How to Play Them. The book is again available through VAP Media's Digital Bookshelf.
The book's chapters include:
· I) Instruments Made of Wood
· II) How to Tune the Sticks of Wood
· III) How to Finish the Marimba
· IV) Playing on an Eight-Note Marimba
· V) Tunes for a Large Marimba
· VI) Stone and Glass Marimbas
The book is described as "a comprehensive guide to building and playing marimbas, written by Satis Coleman. The book covers everything from selecting the right materials to constructing the instrument, including detailed instructions and diagrams for each step".
About Satis N. Coleman:
Satis N. Coleman (1878–1961) was an influential progressive music educator was inducted into the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Hall of Fame in 2010. She was described as "a very influential music educator" and was recognized for promoting "music education for its ability to lead children to relate music to other subjects, such as history, geography, and the study of natural resources".
Educational Philosophy and Legacy:
Coleman was "a pioneering but underacknowledged teacher in the history of American music education" whose "voice of teaching creativity in the twentieth century, occurred at the progressive Lincoln Lab School and Teachers College, Columbia University". Despite being inducted into the Music Educators Hall of Fame, "she is not well known in the profession"
The Marimba Book represents Coleman's practical approach to music education, combining instrument construction with performance instruction, reflecting her progressive philosophy of making music education accessible and hands-on. The book stands as an early example of DIY instrument construction guides, predating later works like Banek and Scoville's Sound Designs by several decades.
