Stick & Mallet Packs for Beginning Band and Beyond

Welcome back to the Chops blog. Today we’re going to cover the different options available for stick and mallet packs.  There are great options for starting a young percussionist, as well as expanded packs for the intermediate student.  These sticks and mallets should last for many years and can be used at every level (beginner, intermediate, high school and college).  Our recommendations include packs from Vic Firth and Innovative Percussion.  Both make great quality products you can trust.  The only difference is what’s included in the packs.  A young percussionist should start with one of these packs, then add to it as they progress through their percussion education.

I’ve broken the packs down into four categories: Basic packs, Core packs, Intermediate packs, and Expanded Core packs.

Basic Packs
Basic packs include the minimum supplies every young percussionist needs:

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED BASIC PACKS:

Innovative Percussion FP1

Vic Firth EP1

Average Price: $49.95

Core Packs
Core Packs include all of the supplies in the Basic packs, with the addition of yarn mallets.  These are the packs we recommend the most because we feel all young percussionist should have a pair of yarn mallets.  Yarn mallets are best for use on marimba and vibes and will be used the most over the course of their time in band. Core Packs include the following:

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED CORE PACKS:
Innovative Percussion PG2 Custom Pack

Vic Firth EP1-M3 Custom Pack

Average Price: $67.45

Intermediate Packs
Intermediate packs include timpani mallets and yarn mallets, but do not include both rubber and plastic mallets.

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic or Rubber Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Timpani Mallets
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED INTERMEDIATE PACKS:
Innovative Percussion FP2

Vic Firth EP2

Average Price: $79.95

Expanded Core Packs
Includes everything in the Core pack, plus the addition of timpani mallets.

• Concert Snare Drum Sticks
• Plastic Mallets for Bells and Xylophone
• Rubber Mallets for Bells, Xylophone, Marimba and Vibes
• Yarn Mallets for Marimba and Vibes
• Timpani Mallets
• Stick Bag

RECOMMENDED PACKS:
Innovative Percussion PG3 Custom Pack

Average Price: $87.95

Here’s a comparison chart of the different packs:

Mallet and stick choices are a matter of personal choice, and every director will have a different brand and model preference. Always check with them first before making a purchase. Please contact us for our recommendations or assistance.