Hey guys, what mallets do you recommend using on this piece? Is this piece a good audition peice for college and what is a good recording to listen to?
Thanks, Bill

This piece is an excellent audition piece. There are two recordings I suggest you listen to, both by the same person: Gordon Stout. His most recent recording is on Astral Projections (2002), and the other is on Music for Solo Marimba (a re-release of the 1977 LP).

As far as mellet choice, I'd try Malletech MB8's ("Burritt's") on the first, and Malletech MB 13's on the second. They're very light weight. It's a Rubber core with latex wrap, black wool and birch shaft.
Other suggestions that I feel would sound great:
-Innovative Percussion 502's ("Moersch's") on the first, and IP 503's on the second. Medium-heavy weight mallet with two-tone sound qualities. Synthetic core with latex wrap and black wool. The shafts are birch, but lacquered. I prefer to sand the lacquer finish off for the sake of sweaty palms and slippage.
-Encore Mallets NM5's ("Mimura's") on the first, and NM4's on the second. These are pretty heavy with a latex wrapped rubber core wrapped with a soft American wool (direct from the sheep farm, too), producing a VERY warm and dark tone. The shafts are available in either birch or rattan.

I tried to be as informative as possible. I've also listed the websites for the mallets below, too. I hope it helps and good luck on the audition!

Best

CJT

- www.mostlymarimba.com ( https://wwws.monmouth.com/mostlymarimba/mofcart/mpimalletorderform.html)
- www.encoremallets.com/1/nanae.html
- www.innovativepercussion.com