Mallet Masterclass

Norwin Percussion

Mallet Instruments

• Some “mallet instruments” include:– Xylophone– Marimba– Vibraphone– Glockenspiel or Bells– Crotales– Chimes

Xylophone (xylo=wood)

Can either have synthetic or wooden bars.

Usually has 3 ½ octaves. (F-C) Some are height adjustable.

Marimba Had its origins in Africa and South

America. Can either be made of wood or synthetic

material Many different sizes. Most common today

is 4 1/3 octave although a 5 octave is instrument is becoming more popular.

Vibraphone• Bars are made of

metal. • Has the distinction

as the only percussion instrument that can produce vibrato.

Glockenspiel or Bells

Are also made of metal. Both terms, Glockenspiel and Bells are

used interchangeably.

Crotales

• Also known as antique cymbals.• Require a hard mallet.• Come in 2 octaves only.

Chimes

Chimes are struck with a chime mallet/hammer.They come in 1.5 octave and also rarely in 1.6 octaves.USUALLY you must depress the pedal to suspend the bars so they will ring.

Chimes continued…

Because of the size of the tubes, you must overplay the dymanics written to produce the desired volume. Try to avoid rawhide mallets if possible. The newer plastic/acryllic mallets produce a much clearer tone.Hold the mallets between 45 and 90 degrees. This helps to produce a better tone on the bar and moves the mallets out of the way for better view of the bars on the instruments.

Buying mallets…

Things to look for and know.

There are literally thousands of mallets to choose from when selecting a pair to buy.

Ask around and try every mallet you see to determine if you like the sound that is produced from the mallet.

Another factor to consider is the price.

Also, get instrument appropriate mallets. I.E. don’t buy a marimba mallet for a xylophone solo you are working on.

Different Mallet shafts Birch-a harder wood with no bounce to the

stroke. The wood stays straight which allows for more accuracy. The harder the wood, the more likely you are to develop blisters/callusses.

Rattan-a softer/flexible material with much bounce and rebound. Because of the flexible material, the shaft tends to bend or curve which can sometimes cause note accuracy problems.

Fiberglass….just say no.

Mallet quiz…

On what mallet instrument would you use this mallet?

#1 Marimba or Vibraphone

#2 Bells, Crotales, or Xylophone?

#3 Vibraphone or Marimba

Where to hit on the bar The appropriate

places to strike the bar are in the middle and on the very edge. This produces the best tone on the bar.

The tip of the stick should come straight up and down, just as with snare drum.

(video)

Acoustically, these are the best places to strike the bar. Avoid the nodes. (The area the string goes through)

Height on each instrument

Height-the correct height is sometimes hard to achieve. Luckily, most mallet instrument makers now use adjustable frames.

If you have to, you can use boards or other devices to raise the instrument. Do not stand on something yourself to change the height…you will limit your range of motion with your feet and more than likely fall off of it.

Musical Example-2 mallets

Traditional/cross grip-used for both concert/orchestral and jazz playing.

Burton grip-mainly used for Jazz

Stevens grip-mainly used for concert/orchestral playing.

Musical Example-4 mallets

Commonly asked questions…• Which “D” do I hit?

– You always walk up to the 1st space F (treble clef) on mallet instruments. It should be in the middle. You can start from there.

• What mallets should I use?– Lowest to highest on marimba=green, brown, orange,

pink. Xylophone uses a hard rubber or acrylic. Bells use hard acrylic or brass. Vibes use cord or yarn wound mallets. Also consider the type of music you are playing. Switching mallets within the same piece is common and encouraged.

“I can’t sight-read very well.”

You’re not alone…

Tips for Sightreading• Try these steps first

– 1. Read the notes aloud for 2-4 measures

– 2. Play the notes with no rhythms – 3. Count the rhythms aloud– 4. Play the notes with the rhythm

• Next combine 1 & 2 together, then move to 3.

• Finally try to slowly read the notes and rhythms together without looking at the keyboard.

• If you do this for 1 month, everyday, you will be amazed at how easy sightreading will be.

• DO NOT WRITE IN NOTES!!!!!!!! That teaches you NOTHING. It is cheating. If someone said “I will either give you MM dollars or MDXCVIII dollars”…which would you take? You have to understand the language of music to speak it.

Note Challenge-

http://www.vicfirth.com/education/keyboard/speednotegame.html