Materials We Use & Recommend

Instruments:

• ​Ludwig starter bell kits work, but practice xylophones are better
  

• Mallets
  • Use hard rubber with a small head
    
  • Stay away from plastic or metal heads, or the “default” mallets given with percussion kit rentals
    
  • Example: Mike Balter 5BB
    

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Our Home Made Materials

• “BasicBand” Materials
  • www.basicband.info
  • Sample Pages (PDF)
• Bell Work (PDF)
• Bb Mallet Jam (PDF)
• Fun Songs (PDF)
• Daily Workouts for Keyboards (PDF)
• Sticking Patterns (PDF)
• Black Key Jam (PDF)
• Black Key Jam (audio recording)​

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Percussion Ensemble Music

• Carol of the Bells (arr. Glynn)
• Boom Tap Clank (Albro)

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Published Books

• A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion, by Mark Wessels
• Mallet Percussion For Young Beginners, by Randy Eyles / Meredith Music
• Essential Elements for Band, Hal Leonard
• Alfred’s Drum Method Book 1, Alfred Music  (use for rhythmic work)

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Web

• YouTube Playlist: Music Reading 101
• Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion Play-a-Long videos
• Vic Firth playlists on YouTube