NBCT Music Practice Exam

In four-mallet playing, how the inner mallets sit in the hand defines the grip. In the traditional multiple mallet technique, the second mallet is held between the index finger and middle finger, with the end tucked underneath all four fingers. This creates a stable pocket in the hand, so the inner mallet stays aligned while the outer mallets are controlled by the other fingers. It gives you independent, fluid movement across all four mallets and smooth transitions between notes. Other grips place the mallets differently, which changes leverage and hand motion, but the described setup is the hallmark of the traditional grip.