Transcript Mallet Masterclass

Mallet Masterclass
Norwin Percussion
Mallet Instruments
• Some “mallet instruments” include:
– Xylophone
– Marimba
– Vibraphone
– Glockenspiel or Bells
– Crotales
– Chimes
Xylophone (xylo=wood)
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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
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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
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Acoustically, these are the best places
to strike the bar. Avoid the nodes.
(The area the string goes through)
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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)
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
Example2 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
Example4 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