Falling Up the Stairs by Christopher Butler

Falling Up the Stairs by Christopher Butler is a multifaceted, highly engaging marimba solo. After a lyrical, rolled opening phrase, the piece launches into an energetic main section characterized by ascending figures, uneven note groupings, and arpeggiation. The nuanced, frequently-shifting harmonic language serves a rhythmic energy that’s equal parts groovy and twisted. Climactic moments of the piece cover nearly the entire range of a 5-octave marimba all at once. Not for the faint of heart, this solo showcases an enormous range of techniques, perfect for performance at contests or recitals by intermediate-advanced players!

This solo can also be found in The Blue Book – Volume 3 along with over 40 other solos for snare drum, drum set, mallet keyboard, and timpani.