Skip to main content

Although Gary has said in another post that he doesn't run into the issue, I've always had problems with my mallets bumping into each other using the Burton Grip. I had sort of an Aha moment and I wanted to share with y'all.

I've struggled for a while using my inner mallets to play "lines" vs.the "Burton Technique" and have made a point to always play with four mallets. Probably because of other activities, my elbow has been bothering me and the Burton Grip seems to be less irritating after a long practice. I made a point to strictly play lines with the upper right mallet and not go back to my old ways. So here's the "Aha" moment.

Instead of hunching forward over the vibe, I leaned a little more back, standing with my weight back on my heels more. Just that little adjustment I felt my hands open up and the inner right mallet pulled back away from the vibe and the mallet collisions were reduced tenfold. Also, when playing lower notes if I slightly twist my body toward the low end of the vibe helps some too. To me the acid test is playing Take Five (in the original key -I think Eb Minor) and a Bb Major scale alternating; they are both doable now. (Granted one doesn't really need to alternate LRLR for a Bb Major scale)

Getting a little deeper into this, I notice that Gary at times lifts his right hand and will play on top of/over the inner left mallet. In my mind that's another technique that he uses to avoid the collisions. When I do that if I use a mushroom shaped mallet, the sound on the bar changes. But Gary's mallets are not mushroom heads, and using a set of his mallets (I have a old good vibes set) it's not much of an issue.

I like the idea of using a technique that's tried and true, and playing more melody oriented stuff on the top mallet makes a lot of sense.

So has anyone else had a similar situation with grips or a stance, or am I over-thinking this?

-- IG

Forums