Stuart
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Jun 22 2004
Posts: 838
Loc: Australia
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Hello Mallet people.. a question from the dark side (drumming).
Is there any application of 4 mallet work that you do on the vibraphone/marimba to the drum kit?
I know Billy Cobham had a period using 4 sticks and I've played around with it a bit and while it makes for an interesting ride sound I never tried to take it any further.
Is there any cross over knowledge?
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L Lawless
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 24 2003
Posts: 282
Loc: TX
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The times I have used this was when I was doing pit work, as in with a musical theatrical production and had to cover several players parts by myself. Mostly to use different beaters for different instruments or textures.
The 4 stick work I've seen used on drumset is usually just to get a fatter, funkier sound, holding 2 sticks in a hand, but still striking the drum simultaneously, not independently as you would in 4 mallet marimba work. I'm thinking in particular of Steve Gadd on Paul Simon's "Late in the Evening".
But, I don't see why you couldn't use the independent technique, as long as the sticks weren't too thick to make control impossible. Not sure if it's worth the trouble.
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Mike4
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 03 2002
Posts: 626
Loc: Maryland
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I've used 2 sticks in one hand on the top & bottom of the hi-hat to get a faster 16th note pattern going while using 1 stick on the snare but that was something I've only done in practice.....
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CGilmore
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Mar 01 2005
Posts: 52
Loc: Texas
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I remember in our college library there was a book that was written for drum set using a 4 mallet grip. It went through tons of permutations on different sound sources and patterns, but it really wasn't anything that could be applied for practical purposes. I say, only trying using it if it fills a specific need.
I could see setting up another sound next to a ride cymbal or hi hat (cowbell, tambourine, Max Stax, etc.) and have it accompany the ride pattern. For example, I could see playing a clave pattern and the cascara pattern in one hand... Or play a tambourine and snare with one hand using 2 sticks.
later
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montunoman
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Jul 07 2005
Posts: 24
Loc: TX
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I've seen a drummer play the cascara pattern and the clave pattern in one hand using two sticks in one hand. It was a nice effect. I think it's an area of drumming that could be further explored but I'm certainly not the guy to do it!
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Stuart
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Jun 22 2004
Posts: 838
Loc: Australia
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So how do you hold the mallets when using two in each hand?
When playing 4 mallets does the two mallets (in each hand) simply play on the same bar, or adjacent (a chord I guess)?
Can you manipulate the mallets so as to selectively strike different bars?
I like the idea of snare and tamborine with one hand.. I'll have a go at that.
Thanks
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L Lawless
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 24 2003
Posts: 282
Loc: TX
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There are several different 4 mallet grips. The one I use basically has one mallet held with the last 2 fingers(ring finger and pinkie) and the other with the first 2 fingers and thumb. The mallets are capable of being used very independently, striking 4 different bars simultaneously or in any combination, with spreads between the mallets anywhere from a second (adjacent bars) to over an octave. With practice you can get to the point where you can play polyrhythms between the mallets.
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CGilmore
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Mar 01 2005
Posts: 52
Loc: Texas
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If you were going to slam a back beat on two different surfaces, I'd favor Burton grip. I actually played the clave/cascara in one hand yesterday and found Stevens grip better to control the balance of the two sounds; although I could do it faster with Burton grip.
later
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CGilmore
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Mar 01 2005
Posts: 52
Loc: Texas
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Here are some links on different grips:
Various Grip Overview
Burton
Stevens
later
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Stuart
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Jun 22 2004
Posts: 838
Loc: Australia
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This sounds like it has potential. If one can "with practice ...get to the point where you can play polyrhythms between the mallets" then there must be some application to the kit (although I imagine the "with pratice" caveat involves some greater committment than a couple of hours in the drum room)
I'll check out those links on the grips and see if get some the techniques down, at least at a basic level.
I'm assuming that no one here at has tried this/does this?
many thanks for all the info
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