Vic Firth: Mallets

What's the fulcrum?

• the motion used to play timpani, common especially in major French & German symphony orchestras

• point of contact & balance on the stick/mallet between the thumb and first finger

• a Vic Firth specialty piece of equipment that helps you practice fast drum/mallet roll

• when the stick/mallet bounces off the drum/bar

An important goal to aim for is

• equally strong left and right hands

• little/no tension in the arms & shoulders

• a relaxed stroke with rebound, like dribbling a basketball

• all of the above

Ideally, to get the very best sound, where should you strike the bar?

• on the edge

• in the center

• wherever you can reach

• higher for high notes, lower for low notes

In practical use, playing in the center isn't always realistic. Where on the bar can you play sharp/flat notes?

Employing a planned, intentional use of repeated stickings to make an otherwise awkward passage more natural is called:

• double stroke

• improvisation

• flam or drag

• paradiddle

When rolling on mallets, the goal is:

• as fast as possible

• faster for higher notes, slower for lower notes

• smooth, even, alternating strokes

• alternate between two different pitches