Reprinted from the Rutgers Music Education Newsletter, Spring 2001 issue
Producing a Great Percussive Sound: Don’t Forget the Sticks and Mallets!
by
Timothy G. Smith
One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of percussion performance is the selection of proper sticks and mallets. Misconceptions are very common. Typically we think of harder being louder and more articulate, and softer being quieter. While this can be true in some instances, it is not a hard and fast rule.
A common problem for high school percussionists is not having the right sticks or mallets available to them when rehearsal time arrives. Band directors have many different things to think about while keeping all of their musicians supplied with reeds, neck straps, valve oil, copies of music, and the list goes on. Purchasing the correct sticks and mallets for your percussionists can be a very valuable acquisition in terms of what it can mean to the sound that comes from that section of your band. Having the right sticks available will keep percussion students from always having to scramble.
Snare drum, timpani, keyboard instruments, bass drum and suspended cymbal, are the most frequently played instruments. Considering a few simple things when buying sticks and mallets for these instruments will greatly enhance the character of the sound that percussionists will produce. Good concert snare drum sticks cost between 7 and 20 dollars.
Several manufacturers of snare drum sticks make a "general" concert snare stick. Try to buy a stick from a manufacturer that specializes in sticks alone. A good concert snare stick is far less substantial than a marching stick, and a bit heavier than a good drum set stick. Make sure that the tip is wood and not nylon. Nylon tipped sticks are great for drum set playing, but make producing a nice even buzz roll difficult for a young percussionist. Remember to tell your supplier that you want a good concert snare drum stick.
Choice of appropriate mallets for timpani can be very confusing. Harder mallets are not always used to achieve a louder sound, but rather for a more articulate sound particularly in softer passages. Larger "cartwheel" mallets are used to pull a large, deep, rich, full sound from the drum whether it is in a passage that requires pianissimo or a thunderous forte. Generally percussionists should keep a number of mallets available ranging from hard to soft. In this way, timpanists can achieve the desired sound. Band directors might consider purchasing 3 or 4 pairs of good timpani mallets, which should be possible for under $100.00. Here again try to purchase mallets made by a manufacturer who specializes in timpani mallets.
There are many mallet choices for keyboard instruments. Players must consider different mallets for each of the most commonly used instruments: xylophone, bells, marimba, and vibes. Xylophone mallets are often very hard rubber, or a soft plastic to prevent damage to the instruments’ rosewood keys, but produce the bright sound that characterizes the instrument. Brown plastic or hard black rubber balls are two pairs that are almost a must. Bells should be played with very hard plastic, or in extreme instances brass mallets. White or black plastic balls, are the most commonly used. Hard plastic should be used even when playing a soft passage to maintain the character of the instrument. Typically, the cost of these mallets ranges from 15 to 25 dollars.
Marimba and vibe mallets are somewhat interchangeable. Both are wrapped yarn, and have either rattan or birch wood handles. One should have 2 matching pairs in the event that the music requires four mallets. My suggestion is that you purchase 2 pairs of rattan handles and 2 pairs of birch. Having both on hand will allow your percussionists to make the choice that is most comfortable to them. One pair of good yarn mallets can be purchased for around 20 dollars.
Now that you have begun to make an investment in the sound your percussionists produce, you will want to protect it. One very good way to do this is to purchase separate mallets for playing the suspended cymbal. Invariably when adjudicating high school band festivals, I see young percussionists using timpani mallets to play the suspended cymbal. Two problems are created: it is not possible to achieve the appropriate sound, and the timpani mallets will be destroyed. Timpani mallets cannot withstand the punishment of being played on such a hard surface. Purchase another one or two pairs of rattan, yarn mallets for use on the suspended cymbal. Yarn mallets pull a much more even sound from the cymbal without creating the attack of the individual strokes of the roll. Several manufacturers do make specialized suspended cymbal mallets, but they are fairly expensive.
There is yet one more instrument to consider: the bass drum! There are two different requirements, a heavy bass drum mallet and a pair of rolling mallets. Why not use timpani mallets? Timpani mallets are too light for such a large drum. The audience will hear the individual strokes rather than a deep resonant tone.
Sticks and mallets are as important to a percussionist as reeds are to a wind player and a mouthpiece is to a brass player. They are simply basic. Making a few simple choices and investing a modest amount of money will keep your percussionists happy with the right equipment to use. And you will like the sound that is produced in that section of your band.