Learn and Practice Mallet Percussion
Bells, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone all have their bars laid out like a piano keyboard. Start by holding the mallets and finding your first notes on bells, then learn to read ahead, play scales, and roll.
Practice in the Percussion Trainer
Practice Reading NotesGet faster at reading notes for bells and xylophone. Opens in treble clef.
Charts and sight-reading
Start here
PercussionHow to hold mallets and play your first notes on bellsHold the mallets and play your first notes on bells.PercussionReading music on bells and xylophone: a guide for drummersFind notes on the bars without staring at them.PercussionBells, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone: what's the difference?How the four instruments differ, and which mallets each one takes.PercussionHow to practice scales on bells and xylophoneLearn each scale as a pattern on the bars.
What should I practice first?
- 01Hold the mallets lightly but securely, aim near the center of each bar, and let the mallet bounce off.
- 02Find a few notes on bells by their landmarks, then practice them in Find the Bar.
- 03Alternate your hands, and keep your eyes on the music instead of the bars.
- 04Learn one scale at a time, slowly, then add it to your practice with a metronome.
More to explore
PercussionHow to roll on marimba and xylophoneHold long notes with an even two-mallet roll.Band skillsKey signatures: which notes are sharp or flat, and remembering themKnow which bars on the top row to play.Reading notesTreble clef lines and spaces, and faster ways to read themRead the notes in your music faster.Reading notesReading the grand staff: treble and bass clef togetherRead marimba parts in treble and bass clef.PercussionHow to practice percussion at homeA 15-minute plan for pad and mallets.
All mallets guides
- Treble clef lines and spaces, and faster ways to read themReading notes
- Reading the grand staff: treble and bass clef togetherReading notes
- How to hold mallets and play your first notes on bellsPercussion
- How to practice percussion at homePercussion
- Reading music on bells and xylophone: a guide for drummersPercussion
- Bells, xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone: what's the difference?Percussion
- How to practice scales on bells and xylophonePercussion
- How to roll on marimba and xylophonePercussion
- Key signatures: which notes are sharp or flat, and remembering themBand skills