Mallet Duets for the Student & Teacher, Book 1: Mallet Instrument Book

The alternating lead approach solves a real problem in mallet pedagogy: students typically lock into one staff line and never develop fluency across the full range of the instrument. Pershing's design keeps both players engaged and equals, with the teacher's part offering genuine musicianship rather than serving as mere accompaniment. Forty pages of original material means you're not recycling standard repertoire.

Fresh and engaging. The original compositions keep both players attentive rather than bored by repetition, and the frequent role-switching creates a sense of partnership and friendly challenge.

Mallet students at the early-intermediate level who are ready for duet playing and sight-reading practice. Teachers seeking a systematic way to build student fluency across the staff and instrument range will find this collection invaluable for private lessons or rehearsal.

• Establish a steady tempo before each duet, then lock in without stopping. The alternating melody demands rhythmic precision from both players, and any hesitation will expose timing gaps.
• Balance the two parts by listening across the mallets. Since the student and teacher trade the top line, clarity matters more than volume; let the melody sing without overwhelming the accompaniment.
• Practice the student part alone first, then layer in the teacher part. This removes the pressure of sight-reading while building confidence in the melodic material.
• Rotate which player takes the top line on repeated duets. The teacher part challenges experienced hands, but students also benefit from working through those variations as they progress through the book.

Assign duets as sight-reading homework or use them as warm-up material in sectionals. The 40-page depth makes this a resource you'll return to throughout the year as students advance through the levels.

• Sight-reading fluency in new material
• Melodic awareness across multiple staff positions
• Rhythmic precision in ensemble settings
• Listening and balance while trading the lead line
• Familiarity with the full range of mallet percussion instruments