ORCHESTRA, BAND, ENSEMBLE and PIT MALLETS
NG: There are hundreds of variations among wound mallets. For example, you have to decide whether you want rattan handles, birch handles, or synthetic handles. A synthetic handle doesn’t break very easily, but professionals usually stay away from them because they are usually too flexible. They are most applicable to a school situation because of their durability. For vibraphone mallets, you want a rattan handle mallet because it has a stiff flex to it, and you need that flex to play effectively. Typically when playing marimba, while there are exceptions to this, you usually want a long birch or maple handle to give you more control and a wider reach when playing with four mallets. In general, wound mallets use cord on the vibraphone mallets and yarn on the marimba mallets. That’s to get the right sound out of the bars. On glockenspiel, you want a hard plastic mallet, and occasionally a brass-headed mallet for specialty use. For xylophone, you want to use a hard rubber or soft plastic mallet. You should not use hard plastic mallets on rosewood instruments because those may damage the rosewood bars. SBO: That makes sense. Do you have any other words of advice for music educators? NG: I would highly recommend speaking with a local professional
or percussion instructor, and there are also many resources available on the Internet. One of the greatest resources around is the Percussive Arts Society, which is the premier organization for professional percussionists and percussion educators. They have a wealth of resources and information available on their Web site, www.pas.org. Neil Grover has spent 28 years with the Boston Pops. During that time, he has also performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, rock band Aerosmith, on the soundtrack for Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom, and at countless concerts, clinics, and events throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Neil is the author of Four Mallet Primer and Triangle, Tambourine and Cymbal Technique (co-authored with Garwood Whaley), both published by Meredith Music. Neil Grover is also the founder and president of Grover Pro Percussion Inc, which specializes in instruments for the percussion industry whose brands include Grover Pro Percussion, SilverFox drumsticks, and Spectrasound Mark Trees.
CONCERT PERCUSSION
SBO: Among wound mallets, what are some of the various characteristics to be aware of?
Concert Bass Drum Mallets
Timpani Mallets
Chime Mallets
Gong Mallets
Suspended Cymbal Mallets Triangle Beaters
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