Tips From the Pros - Mallet Wrapping

MALLET WRAPPING - David Steinquest

The same way a brass player might exchange a mouthpiece with one of a different cup size for different types of music, or a reed player may change reed strengths and/or mouthpieces for different gigs; the keyboard percussionist must also change to the appropriate equipment for a given playing situation. This equipment change for the keyboard percussionist is in his implements or choice of mallets.

The right mallets can make the difference in excellently performed music and music that sounds excellent. The ongoing pursuit of the perfect (manufacturer produced) mallet is both impossible and expensive. The ability to wrap mallets will allow you and your students to save money while customizing mallets that create the exact sound you are looking for.

Materials

• A pair (2 mallets) or set (4 mallets) of unwrapped mallets
• Yarn: 3-ply 100% orlon (sport weight or baby yarn) or 4-ply
• Large sewing needle
• Surgical tubing, rubber tape, moleskin, mole foam (optional materials)

I. Handles
A. Rattan for two mallets (relatively shorter)
B. Dowel (Birch) for four mallets (relatively longer)

II. Cores
A. Wheel-shaped preferred (ball-shaped acceptable)
B. Options
1. Surgical tubing, rubber tape, moleskin, or mole foam used to add second, third, and fourth layers.

III. Yarn
A. 3-ply 100% orlon (usually sport weight or baby yarn)
B. 4-ply an option for tightly wrapped mallets

wheel and ball shaped mallets

IV. Single Sound Mallets
Single sound mallets provide a very small range of timbres and are generally classified into three categories: hard, medium, or soft. Hard mallets provide a strong attack and increased volume, ideal for rhythmic articulated music. Soft mallets produce a warm fundamental tone with almost no attack and limited volume for legato passages. Medium mallets fall in between providing a limited attack and fundamental tone production. Medium mallets are good for general playing at mezzo forte dynamic levels.

A. Soft/medium rubber core for low range/soft attack
B. Medium/hard rubber core for high range/hard attack
(even wood/plastic for xylophone)
C. Second/third layers used to add weight
D. Yarn wrapped at a consistent tension

V. Multi-Sound Mallets
Multi-sound mallets produce multiple timbres. Generally, multi-sound mallets played at mezzo forte or softer utilize the outer most layers and provide a warm fundamental with no attack. When played at forte or louder multi-sound mallets produce a sharp attack.

A. Medium/hard rubber core
B. Second/third layers needed; fourth an option
C. Yarn wrapped at different tensions; first half tightly and second half loosely

VI. Wrapping
As a rule of thumb (particularly with single-sound mallets) tightly wrapped mallets with smaller mallet heads (less yarn wraps) are louder and provide more attack. Loosely wrapped mallets with larger mallet heads (more yarn wraps) are softer and provide more fundamental tone.

• Wind yarn around handle at base of core one revolution (turn handle clockwise) under loose end to hold it in place.

• Pull yarn toward you across top (center) of core.

• Turn handle 90 degrees (clockwise) and repeat to form an "x" on top of core.

• Begin to wrap yarn slightly off center pulling it toward you over the top of the core and turning the handle (clockwise) slightly with each wrap.

• You will begin to see a circle forming around the "x" at the top of the core. As you wrap, try to "hit the spaces" with the yarn so the mallet will be uniform.

Helpful Hints:
To ensure each mallet within a pair or set is consistent in sound, shape, and size, while wrapping count the number of wraps. Before sewing, test the first mallet for desired sound. Wrap subsequent mallets with the exact same number of wraps. Experiment with materials, number of layers, and yarn tension to customize a mallet that suits your playing.

VII. Sewing

• The last wrap of yarn should come over the top and "head toward the bottom".

• At that point, with the needle, sew the yarn into the yarn ball. As you do this (2-3 times) go around the ball and always go back into the hole the needle just came out of (so this doesn't show).

• The bottom must be stitched so the wraps do not come off. The easiest method is "over and under".

• Make a set of stitches around and then fill in the missing ones. Be sure to split the first set of stitches with the second set so they hold together.

• To finish hide the loose end by putting the needle almost through, cutting the yarn very short, and then pulling the needle out.

• The top must also be stitched so the wraps do not come off.

• Cut a length of yarn; hide its end by carefully pulling it through the yarn ball 2-3 times.

• Sew up through the center (away from you), pull toward you, sew a loop and go through the other side. Make a loop there by going down through the center on that side. Do this three more times (to make a total of eight loops).

Optional: Use the "over and under" stitch around the top of the mallet for additional hold (use a different color for mallet identification).