out at inopportune moments. It’ s wise to buy a bunch and scatter them around like the aforementioned drum keys. The washers( along with a strip of tape) can also be used as a drum muffling device. In a pinch, stiff felt washers can be attached to drum sticks to create soft mallets as demonstrated in this short video:
MALLET CASE A close companion at worship band rehearsals, orchestra jobs, and recording sessions, my mallet case contains a variety of items( other than sticks and mallets) that can assist in tweaking tone, making repairs, charting a song, and adjusting my set-up.
The mallet caddy I have been lugging around for decades measures 18” x 11.25” x 7.75.” A transparent plastic zipper storage bag contains many of the smaller items such as triangle strikers and pencils.
STICK BAG It happens sooner or later; a stick breaks or slips out of your hand onto the floor. You need to carry extra sticks and have them within easy reach. Along with transporting sticks, brushes, and soft mallets, a stick bag that attaches to a floor tom( or stands upright next to you) allows you to quickly grab a stick after breakage or a drop.
TRIANGLE HOLDER When playing the triangle, you need a holder to suspend the instrument. I suggest a clipstyle holder that will allow for either hanging the triangle from a music stand or holding it with the hand-held method.
The holder should be equipped with two separate loops of fine string, plastic ties, or thin fishing line.( Loop # 2 is the safety loop.) NEVER use wire or heavy cord that will buzz or significantly inhibit vibrations. Keep the loops short so the triangle cannot spin after striking.
PEG RACK A cowbell, wood block, vibraslap, and agogo bells, plus a couple of synthetic blocks are required for your set up, but where is a convenient location for all that stuff? It’ s easy to group it on a peg rack such as the LP Everything Rack or the Toca Accessory Mount. The peg rack attaches to a cymbal stand( yep, another stand is needed) and any pegmountable instrument can be attached to the provided pegs.
None of these unexciting items contributes sonically to the music, but these soundless helpers have assisted me in many rehearsals, worship services, and performances. Do you need to add any of these to your support staff?
© 2025 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
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
Photo by Pearl Drums on Unsplash
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