TWO-IN-ONE How are you going to switch from a delicate suspended cymbal roll with soft mallets to a driving snare drum rhythm when there are only two beats of rest to make the change? You can grow a couple of extra arms or just use combination sticks. Equipped with a drum stick bead on one end and a felt mallet head on the other, combination sticks are a worthwhile investment for your implement collection.( Example: Vic Firth SD12 Swizzle General Mallet Sticks)
A REPURPOSED GRIP Four-mallet technique, which involves using two mallets in each hand, can be adapted to facilitate instrument transitions. For instance, if you need to move back and forth between the timpani and the glockenspiel, the four-mallet technique can help you do so more smoothly. Try holding the timp mallets in the outside grip of each hand and the glock mallets with each hand’ s inside grip.
STEADY AND READY A mounted tambourine remains suspended in playing position so you can strike with both hands or sticks.
BONUS TIP: TAKE COMFORT IN COMPROMISE Embracing the proper attitude is important. An exact rendition of the written score might not be logistically possible. Do not panic! Lean into the mission and apply judicious strategies to achieve a musically appropriate performance of a challenging multi-percussion part. © 2026 Mark Shelton Productions
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician, educational consultant, and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth. Mark’ s percussion work has been heard with North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony.
. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com
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