Topmusicanswers
Choosing a Marimba Types of mallets and mallet selection
- Rubber. This material is used for a wide variety of instruments. ...
- Rosewood, Hytrel, Lexan, and ABS resin. These materials are suited to the glockenspiel and the xylophone. ...
- Yarn wrapping. A head made from a rubber bulb with yarn wrapped around it.
- How many different kinds of mallets are there?
- How do I choose a mallet?
- What kind of material do the marimba and vibraphone mallets use?
- What are vibraphone mallets made of?
How many different kinds of mallets are there?
There are two types of mallet head: round and elliptical.
How do I choose a mallet?
In smaller ensembles or chamber groups, choose a mallet that best fits the character of the piece. For a bright sound and sharp articulation, a very hard mallet is best. For a soft legato sound, I recommend a soft cord. Although not ideal, yarn mallets can be used at softer dynamics to produce different tone qualities.
What kind of material do the marimba and vibraphone mallets use?
Another important difference between marimba and vibraphone mallets is the material used for their shafts. Both are commonly available in birch or rattan, but marimbists and vibraphonists have different preferences. Marimbists typically prefer the rigidity of birch shafts, while vibraphonists favor rattan.
What are vibraphone mallets made of?
Vibraphone mallets usually consist of a rubber ball core wrapped in yarn or cord and attached to a narrow dowel, most commonly made of rattan or birch and sometimes of fiberglass or nylon. Mallets suitable for the vibraphone are also generally suitable for the marimba.
