Q&A #2: What Mallets Should I Buy For School/College? (UNDER $250!)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 2,000 SUBSCRIBERS! Make sure you click that red subscribe button if you haven't already to join me on this journey :) You guys ask me a lot for suggestions on what mallets to buy for beginners/high school students/college students - so I answered some of your questions in detail in this video. Hope this helps! #TheStudioFamily

[@aidanhenderson5648]

Adam Tan. Next year I plan on playing parody by Jesse Monkman. If you've seen that solo, what kind of mallets would you recommend?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Aidan Henderson Ah yes I do know that, my friends have played it a few times! I would recommend a traditional bullet shaped mallet config in S M M MH like Van Sice 112,113,113,114 as a good way of getting the voicings 😀

[@larog1]

Thank you very much for this precious informations. We have a daughter (11 years old) who is learning to play marimba since a few years now. It is so nice to have someone we can trust to choose the right tools without researching all the stuff for that. A real blessing. Keep on the good work! Sorry for my English, we don't practice that much in the French part of Canada!

[@ericqi5130]

Seems like it's just going to be exponential growth at this point, got 1k, and now 2k. I reckon that we will see 4k, and then 10k, 100k etc. in a few months :D. Awesome content man, I'm glad you're getting bigger and bigger, now the percussion community is catching on!!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Eric Qi Thank you for your support! I don't know if we'll grow that fast but it's good to have you guys along for the journey 😀

[@Comehomeapa]

for articulate timpani, a good choice would innovative percussions concert line

[@monkeybull445]

For those of you who don't know, Charlie Nesmith (the featured Artist) runs Marimbalogy.com, a fantastic marimba resource for technique vids and exercises. I've been watching him for 4 or 5 years now. Go check it out!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Stephen A. I second this, I used to watch his stuff all the time! Hes been very supportive of my channel too, I should have given him a shout out in the video... 😐

[@monkeybull445]

I wish he made stuff more often. He was invaluable when I was teaching myself Steven's Grip back when I was a sophomore in high school.

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks for the shot-out! I've been on a bit of a sabbatical :) I do have some stuff in the works though :) Details soon :)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Marimbalogy Been waiting for this for years, awesome 😁

[@monkeybull445]

AYYYYYYYYYY!!

[@KaboomPercussion]

Great work as always buddy! 👊😎

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Kaboom Percussion Thank you kind sir 😄

[@andrewwoolcock2447]

great video as per :) I actually think that Blue Balter's work really really well for any modern marimba/marimba+set up rep like Prism or One Study One Summary; very clear and pure sound...

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Andrew Woolcock Definitely good if you need that round "dotty" sound! Thanks for watching 😀

[@teqskull7479]

Wow this channel is becoming famous I remember the one or two comments a video good job adam

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Teq Skull Hahaha im not famous but it is bigger than before! Thanks for sticking around 😁

[@teqskull7479]

no problem you have helped me so much since my band director is a sax player and he expects the percussionist to be perfect and now i can live up to his standards

[@kezliang8500]

"Thanks for *sticking* around..." ahahahahaha im sorry i'll just exit...

[@AdamTanPercussion]

LOL I didn't even notice until you said it... I'll exit with you hahaha

[@DrEvil-gr4wb]

i swear my percussion directer watches you, every single mallet or stick video where you review something he tells us to get it. even the galaxy bag

[@TheRofl101]

Thank you for this list--cant wait to share it with my students. I'm putting together a recommended purchase list, and this is a huge help.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

dB_Music Thank you for watching and I'm glad it helps!

[@Svit.S]

I love the marimba/vibes hybrid "Ney Rosauro M228" mallets.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Svit Starkl I've heard of them, would really like to try them 😀

[@karasmith7]

My hands are pretty small, so I need to use a "lock grip" for octaves and up

[@garettdwyerpercussion6379]

Would love to see a PASIC meet up! Been watching your stuff every week since week 1!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thank you so much for the support! :) And I am pretty sure I'm going to PASIC, so see you there ;)

[@benrolfe8490]

Love this video!! Also is that the beginning of Stravinsky's Infernal Dance at :31ish?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ben Rolfe Hahaha I have no idea where my stab sample is from but a few people have suggested that! So it might be...

[@angelo24111]

Can you do Innovative Percussion Soloist Series please?

[@dylanbutler2506]

Hell yeah! #TheStudioFamily Meetup!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Dylan Butler Well that's one more person... we need more though! Ahaha

[@AK2CO]

Congrats on 2K. Really enjoy the videos. Rather than equipment, mallets and such, have you thought about giving your insights on repertoire? Would be nice to see a recorded piece then have you analyze/break down challenging passages from the piece.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks man! That's a really good idea, repertoire analysis - I hadn't thought of that! I'll have to try and figure out a way to make it good though :)

[@AK2CO]

You've got some good chops - I wouldn't worry about putting too much into it. You mentioned G.H. Green, so many good rag pieces from him - wood be great to hear your insight. Ragtime Robin and Log Cabin Blues were a staple of our University percussion group for several years.

[@neverenough000]

make video how to make mallet please :)

[@theunclassicalpercussionis688]

Hey Adam! I'd love to meet you if you'll be at PASIC. I'm an Indiana local and I love to say hi and show you all the great things to do Indy! For instance, The Percussive Arts Society (The same group of people who run PASIC), have an exhibit in the Circle City Mall thats really neat. They have a pancake drum.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Man I can't wait to see these things in November!

[@juanbustamante86]

You should do more content for vibes as well. Some mallets review will do and some technique! I am learning vibes but I actually love your channel!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Juan Bustamante Thanks for watching Juan! I'd love to get into more vibes stuff, just a matter of how I can do it... 😆

[@irbalice]

Hey Adam, Have you ever thought of trying (or have tried) the A. Putnam Goodenberger G-Line Mix Marimba Mallet Set? It's a set of six mallets to mix and match for only $133 (CAD). It's certainly cheaper than me paying close to $200 dollars on like 3 pairs of van sices. I was just wondering if you had an opinion on them :) Thanks!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Alex Marr I've definitely wanted to try the Putnams for a while! Haven't ever seen them before though...

[@noahman4617]

I will be emailing you tomorrow thanks again for your help. ☺️☺️☺️

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Noah Man No worries man!

[@noahman4617]

Adam Tan I emailed it a little bit ago, just waiting for some help thanks again

[@stephanfreeman6914]

Adam-I just found your channel, these videos are pretty cool! However, I do have a question for you. I'm attending university next year as a Music major, and my primary instrument is piano, but my school also wants be to have a secondary instrument. I've chosen percussion because I've played percussion in my orchestra, but I'm not exactly the most capable percussionist- I'm barely able to manage a snare roll. So, I ask you, what should I do over the summer to prepare for percussion next year at university?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks for watching man, and good job for getting into percussion even though you've only just started learning! I reckon if you grab some sticks and a practice pad and practice the basics (single stroke, double stroke, paradiddle, buzz rolls) veeeery slowly for about an hour a day you'll see the improvements over your summer! if you need any formal exercises Stick Control is a really good exercise book 😀 Let me know how it goes!

[@stephanfreeman6914]

Adam Tan Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll definitely check it out!

[@AcoAegis]

The tonys are nice - I like the balter silvers too, very saucy. Sounds kind of like Cal Tjader. I really like the LV3 marimba one mallets - they sound amazing for almost anything - although two pairs would set you back 120 bucks. Basically, wait for a sale on steve weiss.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Aco Oh man "saucy" I'm going to use that in all my videos now

[@pie213]

Very "Soul Sauce-y" lol

[@AcoAegis]

Jen Pies yes lol

[@devoh5329]

And good job for your subscribers you deserve it and your the only interesting percussionist

[@BrianCole]

Thanks Adam! I'll be sure to grab a few of these for my perfusion ensembles!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Brian Cole No worries man, hope it serves you well 😀

[@katiethomaspercussion9432]

Pretty sure your first variation was "Variations on a Nokia Theme", written in 2008 if I remember correctly :P

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Omg yes LOL, how could I forget that old chestnut...

[@kylespence7886]

Loved the video! When's the marimba comparison video coming out? I'm seriously looking forward to that one, especially since I own the Izzy with a few upgrades. A few random questions.... What are your plans for summer/after finishing your masters? Would you ever play a duet with a viewer?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Kyle Spence Thanks for watching man! that's for next week's episode 😀 I'm planning to keep making videos I guess, I'm pretty much already on my post masters plans at this point in time! And I'd love to play a duet with a viewer, not sure how that would work though...

[@kylespence7886]

Adam Tan I may have an idea..... maybe....

[@Marimbalogy]

Do you have access to some different brands at your school? You could do a sound comparison of some different brands of marimbas with the same mallets and see the sound differences.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Marimbalogy I do, but I'm no longer at my school! I am uploading a comparison video next week between a Yamaha and my marimba one but yeah it would be interesting to try more brands!

[@daltonhayden3392]

OMG PLEASE GO TO PASIC! I would love to meet you!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Dalton Hayden I definitely want to! Thanks for watching 😀

[@ImanolRuiz]

I just bought the IP905 and the IP902

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Imanol Ruiz Let me know what you think! they're super popular 😀

[@pie213]

Hey, I just stumbled on your channel... This is good stuff, man! It should be noted that depending on the make/model of your keyboard instrument, the mallets will sound a bit different. As in, I play a Musser vibe at a university and (by luck) own a Yamaha vibe... The M Balter vibe mallets (the MB Blues/the 'Jazz' Silvers that I own) sound killer on the Musser vibe but are too 'tinny' on the Yamaha. Some pairs like the Dave Friedmans and the Tony Micelis (since DF plays Yamaha, and the TMs are similar in head shape and yarn) sound relatively better on the Yamaha, but still decent for ballads and softer comping on the Musser. Another consideration is how they'll sound in a recording or live (and mic'd up) setting, because it's a whole different ballpark so to speak. As for me, my personal go-to's right now are the MB Jazz Silvers, the Miceli's and this (I believe now discontinued pair of ) Promark JM17Rs (that are crazy loud but not tinny on my Yamaha). As more of a (Latin) jazz vibraphonist, I usually tend to have med-hard mallets to cut through whatever group I play with but am also a fan of the lighter sounds of the Micelis and the G.Burtons. I'm open to suggestions for thinner shaft'd mallets (sort of like the MB vibes series with the MB Blues/Silvers) but with more of a rounder fundamental tone, as I have smaller hands.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Jen Pies Thank you for watching! I like that you have such a detailed insight into mallet choice, that's something that's difficult to achieve for a lot of people who haven't experienced different branded instruments as much yet. but awesome to hear that you've had so much experience with so many different brands!

[@daltonpage240]

Can you do an ideal mallet collection? Like I've been doing a lot of research, I've seen all your review videos. I know you need bass, loud, soft, all kinds of different stuff. Can you just do like your idea of a perfect collection for budget people?

[@devoh5329]

Thx for that video I've been waiting for it thx sooo much your my homie

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Félix Boivin-Dupuis Any time man, thanks for watching!

[@yumilalee4600]

Very good video, I always use the Yamaha mallets for marimba,so I think can you also talk about it in the next video

[@AdamTanPercussion]

YU Milalee Yes I'm thinking of the Keiko Abe series! Thanks for watching!

[@yumilalee4600]

But I think the price is just like the marimba one?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

YU Milalee Yup they're quite expensive...

[@mikeprokop1175]

Hey Adam loving the videos! Could you do some more performance videos of some of your favourite pieces?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Mike Prokop Definitely, I have some already that I'll upload later on 😀

[@Capcoor]

Best hard rubber mallets. Go!

[@robertoheredia2703]

Great videos man! greetings from México!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Arturo Heredia Thanks so much for watching! Would love to visit Mexico one day...

[@robertoheredia2703]

Adam Tan that'll be great! hope it will be soon

[@jacobtorres4540]

Adam have you ever seen the mallet tower from ahead percussion? It's exactly like the humes and berg grip bag but cheaper

[@CookingWithVu]

thanks for mentioning me in ur video

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ethan Vu No worries, thanks for the question!

[@DavidSanchez-io9qi]

This is really helpful!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks for watching :) I'm glad it helps!

[@mobimente1388]

Wow I really needed this 😂

[@AdamTanPercussion]

DairyDude Hope it helped! Thanks for watching 😀

[@welcometolimbo4597]

this is so helpful thank you!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I'm glad! Thank you so much for watching :)

[@welcometolimbo4597]

Adam Tan you should play one of my piano pieces on marimba 😅. I have them on my channel if you want sheet music.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Your piano pieces sound awesome! Keep it up :)

[@welcometolimbo4597]

Adam Tan Thank you! it's a little funny because I play marching snare, and we are typically regarded as the least melodic instrument so I like to get a little variety with piano.

[@kenfaulkner2695]

Can you make a video thrashing the IP Soloist series

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I do want to thrash them a fair bit... will look into it :)

[@cmcaggia3]

hey Adam! this video is awesome!! do you mind if I ask another question? well I shall. in your opinion, when playing a solo, is it better to follow a suggested sticking (indicated by the flag direction of the notes but not directly written as 1234 etc) to ensure consistency through melodically/compositionally similar parts in a piece, or to follow a more comfortable/individual sticking choice? (sorry if this doesn't make sense haha)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

cmcaggia3 Thanks for watching! I think it's good to always give the suggested sticking a chance first (especially if you think it's more consistent) and then if you really REALLY don't like it you try your own, and if you feel yours is more comfortable then go with that 😀 After all only you really know which way is the best for your style! I guess percussion really is just a game of experimentation 😅

[@kittymccarthy4825]

Love the Q and A style video, thank you! Would you be able to recommend good marimba, and xylophone solos for beginners?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Thanks for watching! Some of my favourite marimba/xylo stuff from easiest to hardest for beginners: Marimba: Yellow After The Rain (very easy), Rain Dance (very easy), Ross Edwards' Marimba Dances (easy), Gordon Stout's Two Mexican Dances (intermediate), Takatsugu Muramatsu's Land (intermediate), Michael Burritt's October Night (slightly more advanced) Xylo: Dill Pickles (easy), Ragtime Robin (easy-intermediate), Tambourin Chinois (intermediate)

[@kittymccarthy4825]

thank you :)

[@kittymccarthy4825]

Would you be able to recommend good exersizes to do starting out on the marimba? Great video!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Definitely! I have a few in my Technique Talk playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLceKUCBreJ_xSeonz7X6G3dvoEH5Vnry3 but I'm doing more in the future :)

[@jeannapmusic]

NMDS are so freaking comfy

[@AdamTanPercussion]

They areeeeeeeee

[@Tones_24]

My instructor just recommended dragonfly marimba mallets to me

[@BluePandasOS]

hey adam. you probably have answered this question already, but what would I want to look for when it comes to purchasing mallets/sticks? thank you!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

With regards to non-sound factors I always consider the head shape and weight, if you're looking for a heavier warmer mallet or a lighter articulate mallet :) And then sound factors are all determined based from that anyway, for example if the mallet is tightly wrapped then you get a brighter sound generally and if its looser you'll get a warmer sound. The rest is just preference, like the design, the durability, the value for money etc :)

[@haydenschroeder4703]

what are good mallets for Rain Dance by Alice Gomez?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Really depends on what you like! I like the original shaped mallets best, like Van Sice, or Virtuoso :)

[@joshuareece6750]

Hey adam i was wondering what your thoughts are on the Innovative IP240 as a general mallet or if you had tried them and what your experience was with them has been?

[@AdamTanPercussion]

I have tried them briefly - they are not bad but I think they are a bit of an old fashioned design and there's so much choice nowadays that you don't have to limit yourself to it anymore :) Between VS and IP240 I still pick VS first hahaha

[@gabriel72B]

Faz uma vídeo tocando Glock, por favor! Gosto muito dos seus videos.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Gabriel Bruno Haha thanks for the suggestion man I'll try and get into that!

[@gabriel72B]

Meu Deus, uma resposta.

[@AdamTanPercussion]

But of course ;)

[@ErnestoComposer]

Hey Adam, I was just wondering what you used to create your website? I love design and I want build one for myself similar to it. Or was it custom code? Thanks :) I loved this episode

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ernesto Aguirre Hey man, thanks for watching! I used Wix and I paid for premium, I'm not very good at HTML etc so that was easier for me ahaha

[@nilshigdon]

What is a semi-quaver?

[@bby6551]

bro, upload some videos actually playing marimba. That marimba is unbelievable, play some pieces

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Tu Katze Deal, I have a few videos that I haven't uploaded but I should probably do it...

[@xabhuhfuhhjk7279]

Adam Tan DO IT

[@robinvandersyppe2807]

Hi Adam, I currently have the Marimba One DHB4 mallets and I LOVE them, especially their warm sound and weight. However, on the higher octaves there isn't much sound coming out. I would like to buy the DHB3 series. My teacher gave me his DHB2 so I can try but they sound too hard since my marimba is standing in my living room. Percussion is my main hobby but it is not my main study so I do not know very much about mallets and I would like to stay in the same series I got now (DH). Do you think I should afford the DHB3 or they are not worth it? :)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Robin Vandersyppe I did actually quite like the DHB3s, if you must have the DH sound then yeah go for it! I agree on what you mean with the 2s being too hard, they are classed as a proper hard mallet after all 😄

[@FFXTSL]

What is your opinion on Drum Corps, the marching arts, and front ensembles? (I know it's more of an American thing though)

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Spencer Sanders I think they're awesome, I see it on KZbin all the time but I've never experienced it myself... drum corp is still growing over here! Massive respect to anyone who can do that though 🙌

[@FFXTSL]

Adam Tan Thanks dude :)

[@NickSardello]

Adam, how did you first become friends with Rob? I imagine this is one of the best connections anyone could have!

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Nick Sardello Basically I watched his videos and left some comments and then we had a Skype call and well, our interests are pretty similar so it worked out 😀 I'm super grateful to get to meet someone as awesome as him!

[@stefangriffin3113]

Lol you had it right the first time! It's pronounced meh-sell-ee

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Stefan Griffin Man I keep forgetting!

[@antoniogamez6062]

Well now your at 17 k 😂😂

[@dvc-zm2kw]

Where I come from we call those xylophone mallets "lolipops"

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Ah yes I would call it that too!

[@angelcarrillo7421]

I broke my SD1

[@AdamTanPercussion]

Noooooo... well at least they're not too expensive ;)

[@sniyut1037]

Wow...you get very long fingers.