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Marching Sticks & Mallets

Shop Marching Drumsticks & Mallets at West Music

Drumming instruction is a wonderful thing to incorporate into any classroom or music therapy session. Even through the basics, students gain basic rhythmic understanding and simultaneously discover a new outlet for healthy emotional expression. This is especially true when considering marching band, which is why West Music happily offers a finely curated selection of keyboard mallets and marching band drumsticks from top brands such as Vic Firth, Mike Balter, and ProMark. In fact, these versatile implements are specially designed for extended use by both young and older students alike. Upgrade your marching mallets and snare drumsticks today and watch your students soar.

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Your network or browser security settings may be blocking the products from loading (to confirm, try opening this page on your phone's cellular network).

Please try the following options to proceed with your order:

1. To place your order over the phone, call us Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm CST at 1-800-397-9378.

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4. You can also click here to access our digital catalog. Use the search at the top of the Catalog screen to find a product, click a link to navigate the product detail page (product pages will load normally), and add it to your cart. You can also navigate directly to product pages by adding a 6-digit item number (i.e. "400278") to the end of our URL (i.e. Westmusic.com/400278).

Marching Percussion: The Power of Precision

In the exhilarating world of marching bands and drum corps, the precision and power of percussion are paramount. The choice of drumsticks and mallets is critical in achieving the clarity, volume, and articulation needed to carry the rhythm across the field. From the robust marching snare drumsticks designed for the crisp snaps of the snare to the specialized tenor and quad drum sticks for the multi-tonal tenor drums and the nuanced marimba mallets for front ensemble performances, each implement is crafted to meet the unique demands of marching percussion. Let's explore the essential marching drum sticks and mallets, including the renowned Vic Firth Corpsmaster series and ProMark's marching sticks, that drive the heartbeats of marching ensembles.

Marching Snare Drumsticks: Engineered for Impact

Marching snare drumsticks are engineered for the high-tension drumming of the marching snare, offering a combination of durability, balance, and projection. These sticks are typically thicker and longer than their concert counterparts, providing the necessary leverage for powerful playing and the stamina to withstand rigorous performances. Their design creates a pronounced attack that cuts through the ensemble, ensuring the snare line's intricate rhythms are heard loudly and clearly.

Tenor Drum Sticks: Versatility Across the Drums

Tenor drum sticks, often called quad drum sticks when designed explicitly for quad (or quints) setups, are crafted to produce a wide range of dynamics across varying drum sizes. These sticks may feature slightly larger tips and a balanced weight distribution to facilitate smooth transitions and even tonal quality across the drums. The ability to articulate rhythms clearly on the higher-pitched drums while still delivering full-bodied tones on the lower drums makes these sticks essential for tenor drummers.

Marimba Mallets: Nuance in the Front Ensemble

Marimba mallets are designed for the nuanced performance required by the marimba and other keyboard percussion instruments in the front ensemble. These mallets feature heads wrapped in yarn or cord, offering a range of hardness levels for different dynamics and articulations. The shafts are carefully balanced to provide control and comfort during fast passages and delicate moments. Marimba mallets enable players to draw out the rich, resonant tones of the instrument, contributing to the ensemble's melodic and harmonic textures.

Regardless of drum style, two great manufacturers to consider are Vic Firth and ProMark.

Vic Firth Corpsmaster: Pinnacle of Performance

The Vic Firth Corpsmaster series stands at the pinnacle of marching percussion sticks and mallets, embodying excellence in design and performance. Developed in collaboration with top percussion instructors and corps, the Corpsmaster line includes sticks and mallets tailored for snares, tenors, bass drums, and front ensemble instruments. Each model is crafted to enhance playability, durability, and sound quality, making the Corpsmaster series a trusted choice among competitive marching ensembles worldwide.

ProMark Marching Sticks: Durability and Innovation

ProMark marching sticks are renowned for their durability and innovative features designed to meet the needs of marching percussionists. With options for snare, tenor, and bass drummers, ProMark's offerings include sticks made from high-quality hickory or maple and featuring unique design elements such as the "Optimatch" system for weight and pitch matching. ProMark marching sticks are favored for their ability to withstand the demands of marching percussion while providing exceptional playability and sound projection.

Choosing the Right Tools for Marching Percussion

The selection of drumsticks and mallets is a critical consideration for marching bands and drum corps, directly impacting the percussion section's precision, articulation, and overall sound. Whether choosing the power and clarity of marching snare drumsticks, the balanced articulation of tenor drumsticks, the trusted excellence of Vic Firth Corpsmaster, the nuanced performance of marimba mallets, or the durable innovation of ProMark marching sticks, percussionists are equipped with the tools needed to drive the pulse of their ensembles. Through careful selection and mastery of these implements, marching percussionists not only keep the beat but elevate the art of performance, bringing the music of the marching arts to life.