
It is formed as a variant of the cross grip, with the mallets held as follows: Seen with the palm facing upwards, the inside mallet is placed and crossed over the outside mallet. The end of the inside mallet is held with the little finger, and outside mallet is held between the index and middle fingers.
What is a Burton grip?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. The Burton grip is a method of holding two mallets in each hand in order to play a mallet percussion instrument, such as a marimba or a vibraphone, using four mallets at once. It was developed by jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton around the 1960s.
What vibraphone grip should I use?
The most widely used 4-mallet grip today is the "Burton Grip" named after Gary Burton - arguably the greatest vibraphone player to date. This is the grip I use and teach, as I feel it is the most versatile grip for general use over the whole range of percussion instruments.
Do Burton bindings have adjustments?
Fortunately, Burton bindings have a number of simple adjustments that you can make in order to set everything up just right. If you’re not techy, you might think you want to keep these adjustments at arm’s length, but it ain’t true.

Who made Burtons grip?
vibraphonist Gary BurtonThe Burton grip is a method of holding two mallets in each hand in order to play a mallet percussion instrument, such as a marimba or a vibraphone, using four mallets at once. It was developed by jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton around the 1960s.
Who invented 4 mallet technique?
Gary BurtonIt is widely used by orchestral percussionist to play four mallet orchestra excerpts for the strength and security it offered. It was invented around 1960s by the famous Vibraphonist, Gary Burton.
How do you hold a vibraphone stick?
1:158:17The "Burton" 4-Mallet Vibraphone Grip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut the thumb on. Top. Don't squeeze too hard but hold the stick fairly firmly. And that's the gripMorePut the thumb on. Top. Don't squeeze too hard but hold the stick fairly firmly. And that's the grip that's it held at a 90 degree angle.
How do you use double mallets?
4:189:08Instructional video: Burton grip (two mallets per hand) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTimes next step is to hook the index finger in which will force the mouse apart to a third. The nextMoreTimes next step is to hook the index finger in which will force the mouse apart to a third. The next step is to take the thumb from the outside.
Why do drummers still use traditional grip?
Traditional grip is useful to learn because it produces a certain sound that works great when playing drumming patterns in the rudimental/traditional style. Countless jazz drummers have used it as a means of expression when performing acoustic, improvisational music.
How do you make a Stevens grip?
In Stevens grip, the mallets are held loosely. The first mallet, which becomes the left-most mallet, will be placed between the middle and ring finger, with the little and ring fingers wrapped around the mallet and less than an inch of the mallet hanging past the end of the hand when the palm faces upward.
How do you play Stevens grip?
1:558:04Ep. 11 Stevens Grip Philosophy + Pedagogy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe more your arm angle is going to prevent upward wrist motion. So they've tilted it to the side toMoreThe more your arm angle is going to prevent upward wrist motion. So they've tilted it to the side to be able to still get a nice good turn.
How do you do 4 mallets?
5:0412:26Technique & Musicianship with Four Mallets: Introduction - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart with one mallet in your hand and a normal grip like you would use for two mallet percussionMoreStart with one mallet in your hand and a normal grip like you would use for two mallet percussion playing. Then take a second mallet and insert it between your first and middle finger.
How do you play traditional grip?
4:3617:58Traditional Grip Technique Explained! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can just do full strokes thumb only rotating the forearm. And you want to get a full reboundMoreWe can just do full strokes thumb only rotating the forearm. And you want to get a full rebound coming. Back. You just want to get control. Over this movement make sure the stick isn't sliding.
How do you hold 6 mallets?
3:207:38The Six Mallet Grip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe single independent middle stroke place the thumb and index finger on the middle mallet and doMoreThe single independent middle stroke place the thumb and index finger on the middle mallet and do like this a single independent outside stroke to do this stroke let the inside mallets hang loose.
How do you hold a traditional mallet grip?
0:208:46Marimbalogy.com Ep.7 pt. 1 Four Mallet Grips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're going to hold the mallets at the intersection. And then the thumb and the index finger sitMoreThey're going to hold the mallets at the intersection. And then the thumb and the index finger sit inside it looks something like this. So the little fingers hold the cross of the mallets.
How do you hold a mallet?
3:064:44Holding on to the Marimba Mallets! - Tips for Playing the Marimba!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you know what there's a little bit of edge there a little bit of a grip and a little bit ofMoreBut you know what there's a little bit of edge there a little bit of a grip and a little bit of texture. That's gonna help you hold on to that mallet.
How do you do 4 mallets?
5:0412:26Technique & Musicianship with Four Mallets: Introduction - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart with one mallet in your hand and a normal grip like you would use for two mallet percussionMoreStart with one mallet in your hand and a normal grip like you would use for two mallet percussion playing. Then take a second mallet and insert it between your first and middle finger.
How do you do a 4 mallet?
The mallet is kept in place by your palm, pointer finger and thumb. Put the second mallet between your ring finger and your middle finger. The end of the mallet should reach to about the first line in your palm. Repeat steps one and two for the third and fourth mallets, which go in your other hand.
How do you hold a 4 mallet?
The mallet is kept in place by your palm, pointer finger and thumb. Put the second mallet between your ring finger and your middle finger. The end of the mallet should reach to about the first line in your palm. Repeat steps one and two for the third and fourth mallets, which go in your other hand.
What instrument uses mallets?
There are three main types: Unwrapped mallets, used on glockenspiel, xylophone, and other instruments with keys made of durable material, have heads made of brass, rubber, nylon, acrylic, wood, or other hard materials.
Why did Burton use the grip?
The grip was designed to make up for Burton's perceived shortcomings of the traditional grip, which he thought could be difficult to control while changing intervals. Burton grip was also designed so that a player could play two-mallet lines and melodies without having to put down two mallets.
What grip did Gary Burton use?
Gary Burton had observed that jazz vibraphonists would tend to play harmony using four mallets, but switch to a two mallet grip to solo, so he made the Burton grip so that one could solo without having to switch grips, allowing for chords to be used during these solos.
What is the advantage of the Burton grip?
Although results may vary from player to player, the advantage to the Burton grip is stability, where holding a specific interval steady is typically more comfortable than in other grips.
Vibes and Big Band Chart
Hi Josh- The vibes are no match for a big band. If you look at many of the great big band vibists of the past, they used glass-hard mallets and played very aggressively. Often they miked their instruments. Most of them used 2 mallets.
MalletKat and Big Band
Our senior center band is 14 pieces with good horns and sax sections. Even the amplified MalletKat sound can get lost in that sound-blend when playing chords in the background. I usually pair off with piano when taking the lead, while the horns quiet down. The unamplified piano has much the same problem being heard over the horns.
tension
Hi Josh- here's my 2 cents - I would keep working on relaxing your hands when you play, to me it's the key to getting through a long gig, and for a good sound.
M229 mallets
30 years ago, I used to play vibes with the LA City College Big Band and tried several types of mallets to see which blended the best. The winner was the Musser M229's which at the time were known as the David Friedman signature mallet. Although David is endorsed now by a different brand, the M229 is still for sale simply as the M229.
Serious grip and mallet choices
Aloha, over the years i have dealt with many hand problems including the one you describe .. Two choices you might work with. 1. use a harder mallet like the malletech MM17 these cut thru large ensembles. 2. RElax relax relax your fingers. if you are having to play so hard that your coming from the ceiling to be heard.
being heard
If you have no access to sound reinforcement (mikes, pickups, electric keyboard) there are still things you can do. Start by placing yourself up front, if you are by the drummer your vibe sound will never go over the band, be the featured player.
How do you expand a mallet?
To expand the inner mallets in the right hand to their maximum span, position your index finger between mallets 4 and 5 (the inner-most mallets, left to right) and pull the mallets apart using your thumb and index finger (ex. 13b). You will feel pressure exerted on the inside of your ring finger.
How to use a ring finger to swivel a mallet?
Grip your fingers around the middle mallet and press your ring finger against the outer mallet ( ex. 3).
How to play double stops with the outer mallets?
By lifting the middle mallet out of the way with the index finger (examples. 10a and 10b), it is possible to play double stops with the outer mallets (1 and 3, 4 and 6 respectively) in each hand.
How to adjust a middle mallet?
There may be instances when you will need to manually adjust (with the aid of your other hand) the middle mallet in either hand by retracting it (pushing it in) so that the middle mallet head is closer to your hand. This may be done either with the aid of your other hand (examples 8a - 8c), or by pushing the middle mallet against something, such as the brace of the keyboard percussion instrument closest to you (ex. 9).
Where to place inner mallet?
Place the inner mallet across the middle mallet and the first joint of your thumb (ex. 5).
Where is the baseplate on a binding?
The baseplate is visible around the outer edge of the binding, with the footbed (and gas pedal) secured on top. A good indicator of what proper binding, boot, and board fit looks like. The upcurve of your boot toe should match the upcurve of the binding front.
What are the buckles on a toe?
Buckles at each toe and ankle secure and control the tightness of your straps.
Should ankle straps be centered?
For maximum control and comfort, both your ankle strap and toe strap should be directly centered over your boot, which is easily achievable through the tool-free hardware. If your feet are XL and you just can’t seem to get your straps long enough, we can send you an XL slider on the house.
Can you detach your binding from your board?
This is an especially good precaution if you’re heading out for a multi-day trip. No hardware necessary, just detach your binding from your board in order to slide these pieces up through the bottom of the baseplate.
Do Burton snowboard bindings work?
Fortunately, Burton bindings have a number of simple adjustments that you can make in order to set everything up just right. If you’re not techy, you might think you want to keep these adjustments at arm’s length, but it ain’t true.
The Best Splitboarding Terrain
There are two main camps of splitboard riders: inbounds and backcountry. Each type of splitboarding has its benefits but we generally recommend that people who are new to splitboarding start inbounds before hitting the backcountry.
Splitboarding 101: Vocabulary
Don’t get left out of the conversation. Here are some splitboarding terms that you should be able to use in a sentence.
Splitboarding 101: Gear
Getting started with splitboarding requires an investment in some specific equipment. At a minimum, we recommend the following gear:
Splitboarding 101: Technique
There are many nuances to splitboarding that can only be learned through experience, but we’ve put together a few techniques that all splitboarders should follow.
Splitboarding 101 Graduation
Now that you know the basics it’s time to get out and splitboard. Remember, every expert splitboarder was once a beginner. You’ll probably fall a few times and maybe you’ll get a few bruises (including your ego), but at the end of the day you’ll have the satisfaction of earning every single turn.
