Mallet



[Eng.]

A device used by a percussion player to strike the instrument. It typically has the appearance of a light hammer with a small, rounded or spherical head used to play certain percussion instruments (marimba, xylophone, orchestra bells, chimes etc.). The head will come in a variety of materials of varying hardness to produce a wide range of timbres on the instrument. Head materials range from soft cloth to yarn to soft or hard rubber to hard wood.

Also see stick.
Table of Some Common Percussion Mallets
Bass Drum Mallet - Soft cloth covered head
Orchestra Bells Mallets - Hard brass spherical head
Chimes Mallet - Cowhide hammer head
Marimba/Xylophone Mallets - Yarn head
Timpani Hard Mallets - Wood spherical head
Timpani Soft Mallets - Soft cotton covered head

| Dictionary Home | Dictionary Appendix |