Student Instrumental Course: Mallet Student, Level II: Mallet Instrument Book

This Level II book picks up where beginners leave off without losing momentum. Feldstein's mallet exercises progress logically through coordination, stick control, and musical application, so your students feel capable rather than overwhelmed as the demands increase.

A deliberate progression that asks students to think about precision and tone production rather than just hitting the right notes. Exercises feel purposeful because each one builds a specific capability you'll hear immediately in their playing.

Intermediate mallet students who have completed Level I and are ready to refine stroke control, develop independence between hands, and apply mallets to multiple percussion instruments. Works equally well in private study and class percussion settings.

• Establish consistent mallet grip and height before moving to new patterns; sloppy posture compounds difficulty at this level.
• Practice two-mallet rolls slowly with a metronome, focusing on even rebound rather than speed.
• Alternate between vibraphone and xylophone parts to build comfort on both instruments within the same lesson.
• Use the book's exercises as warm-ups before tackling ensemble parts, not as the entire practice session.

Use this as your core mallet curriculum for students advancing beyond entry level. Pair it with supplementary books in the same series to ensure consistent vocabulary across your program, or select individual exercises to reinforce techniques your ensemble sections need for upcoming repertoire.

• Two-mallet independent coordination
• Stroke control and rebound technique
• Mallet selection and malleability across instruments
• Reading and executing rhythmic patterns in common and compound meters
• Vibraphone and xylophone facility
• Dynamics and tone production on pitched percussion