What Should a Percussion Student Own?

Josh Gottry

Unlike most other instrumentalists, percussion students typically do not, and could not, own many of the instruments they play. Instead, the school or ensemble traditionally purchases many of the percussion instruments and students are responsible for sticks, mallets, and possibly other small implements or instruments. The obvious question to follow becomes, what should I own, either for use in an ensemble or practice at home? While the specific answer to that question should come from your band director or private instructor, here are some suggestions based on grade level.

GRADE SCHOOL (5th-6th Grade):

  • Student Percussion Kit
    • Bell Set
    • Practice Pad
    • Stand (for bells & pad)
  • Snare Drum Sticks
    • SD1 or SD1JR (junior stick for smaller hands)
  • Bell Mallets
    • hard plastic with wood shafts
  • Metronome (or metronome app)
    • ideally with a light & headphone jack

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (7th-9th Grade): By this time, most mallet percussion practicing will be done on school instruments (i.e. xylophone, marimba). The bell set becomes a convenience rather than a necessity and the student’s mallet collection should grow noticeably. Students should always keep a practice pad for “quiet” practice times and some students may decide at this time to purchase a snare drum or drumset.

  • Stick/Mallet Bag
    • for at least 6-8 pairs
    • consider a larger bag that will also hold sheet music folders or method books
  • Snare Drum Sticks
    • SD1 concert snare drum sticks
    • 5A drumset sticks (opt.)
  • Bell Mallets
    • hard plastic with wood shafts
  • Xylophone/Marimba Mallets
    • medium rubber
    • medium-hard yarn (opt.)
  • Timpani Mallets (opt.)
    • staccato (med.-hard) with wood shafts
  • Metronome (or metronome app)
    • with light & headphone jack

HIGH SCHOOL (10th-12th Grade): During this time, students will likely participate in marching percussion, be introduced to 4-mallet technique, and be given percussion solo and/or ensemble opportunities. Advanced students may consider purchasing a mallet instrument (i.e. xylophone, marimba) at this time. Other small instrument purchases (cajon, bongos, congas, djembe, cowbell, woodblock) make great gifts or short term savings goals for students.

  • Stick/Mallet Bag
    • for at least 12-15 pairs
  • Snare Drum Sticks
    • SD1 concert snare drum sticks
    • 5A drumset sticks
    • DC1 marching snare drum sticks
  • Bell Mallets
    • hard plastic with wood shafts
  • Xylophone Mallets
    • medium rubber
    • poly-ball (soft plastic)
  • Marimba Mallets
    • 2 pair medium-hard yarn
    • 2 pair medium-soft yarn (opt.)
  • Vibraphone Mallets (opt.)
    • 2 pair medium cord
  • Timpani Mallets
    • staccato (med.-hard)
    • general (medium)
  • Trap table cloth
    • i.e. dark color hand towel
    • lay on a music stand for holding mallets or small percussion instruments
  • Metronome (or metronome app)
    • preferably with a light, headphone jack, and the capability to subdivide a variety of ways
  • Pitch Pipe or Tuning Fork (for timpani tuning)