The Best of Shorties, Volume 2: Mallet Percussion (Bells/Xylophone) Book

This collection gives percussionists genuine melodic material to sink their teeth into, rather than relegating them to timekeeping roles. Lopez's voicing for mallets respects the natural resonance and articulation capabilities of bells and xylophone while keeping rhythmic execution accessible at the 2.5-3 grade level, meaning your percussion section gets to feel like they're carrying real musical weight.

Energetic and fun, with a modern sensibility that draws from pop, rock, soul, and classic standards. The arrangements have a lightness and humor that makes rehearsals feel less like grind and more like play, yet the music never loses its melodic integrity or rhythmic precision.

Marching and pep bands at the intermediate level who want to expand their percussion section beyond foundational techniques. Directors programming contests, football games, or concert performances will find instant audience appeal in these recognizable titles while offering percussionists meaningful melodic responsibility.

• Balance the mallet attack so melodic lines cut through the band without overshadowing ensemble cohesion; these charts work best when the xylophone voice complements rather than dominates the brass and reeds.
• Match your articulation style to the character of each tune. 'Sing, Sing, Sing' demands crisp, energetic strikes, while 'Gonna Fly Now' benefits from slightly sustained resonance on longer note values.
• Pay attention to the keyboard part voicing in relation to the electric bass and drum set; these three voices form a rhythmic and harmonic foundation that needs tight coordination to lock the groove on contemporary pop and funk selections.

Drop individual selections into pep band sets or marching competitions where you need reliable filler between larger works; these shorties work especially well as openers to grab attention or closers to send the crowd home smiling. The 18 titles give you enough variety to program an entire short concert or to rotate material throughout the season without repetition.

• Reading pitched percussion on the grand staff
• Articulation and attack control on mallets
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary grooves and syncopation
• Ensemble listening and blend with keyboards, bass, and drum set
• Sight-reading of melodic material in accessible ranges