4-mallets – Kaylie Dunstan

Valerie’s Panda

Kaylie6132 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:39:17 +0000

If you love watching panda videos as much as I do, you’ll agree that this piece provides a fitting soundtrack to their playful antics. A cute, simple waltz in sound, however challenging in execution. There are times where the performer finds themselves in slightly awkward chord positions or needing to consider best sticking choices. Keeping a light-hearted sound while being agile is a challenge worth overcoming for such a delightful setting.

The Outsider

Kaylie6132 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:17:51 +0000

The title ‘The Outsider’ is a direct reference to the 2 outside mallets playing a prominent role throughout. The technique takes great care and control, hence the predominantly laboured tempo. The meaning of the title also doubles as a solemn circumstance that is ideally captured by the performer. While simplistic in its presentation, consideration should be given to the delicate presentation of this piece. The range extends down to a low C3 in the bass stave.

The Insider

Kaylie6132 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:51:21 +0000

Performers use their inside mallets almost exclusively throughout this piece. Independent rotation is a difficult yet crucial component of 4-mallet technique, leading to true independence from the non-playing mallet. This composition gives off a spy mystery type vibe, while perfecting the smooth rotation of mallets 2 and 3 at various dynamic levels.

The Four-Legged March

Kaylie6132 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:25:41 +0000

Why are marches always in 2/4? Well, this one isn’t. A fun and light-hearted composition for every dog-lover. The performer gets to use extended playing techniques in order to produce sound effects for this highly impressionistic piece. In addition to a 3.5 octave mallet keyboard, the instrumentation also involves high-pitched drum/s in order to replicate the sound of a ‘yappy’ dog. Utilising only double vertical strokes, this entry-level composition will give the student a ‘leg-up’ as they begin their 4-mallet journey.

Thirdsday

Kaylie6132 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:42:05 +0000

An elementary mallet solo at approximately grade 2 level. The performer keeps to parallel 3rds throughout the composition, highlighting a prominent dominant 7th chord at a key moment in the piece. The sticking is open to interpretation in order to facilitate focused practice in either or both hands.

Strangely Normal

Kaylie6132 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:44:20 +0000

This piece is for anyone out there who identifies as a little….. quirky. The music has potential to be ‘normal,’ but with a few strange twists. Unashamedly unorthodox, notes and rhythms move in a sort of unpredictable and playful manner. Some tricky polyrhythms will keep the performer on their toes while navigating some tight corners on the keyboard. A highly accessible, intermediate 4-mallet piece, playable on a 3.5 octave instrument.

Mid Game Obby

Kaylie6132 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:43:27 +0000

‘Obby’ is short for ‘obstacle course’ used in video games. This simple 4-mallet piece can be played on a small keyboard instrument such as xylophone or glockenspiel. It provides an opportunity for students to get the hang of shifting between both rows of the chromatic keyboard, maintaining the interval of a 5th. Suitable for students in the elementary stages of 4-mallet technique.

MonoPoly

Kaylie6132 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:07:55 +0000

This is one of my favourite marimba compositions on offer here. It was inspired by a student who was proficient on drums but just starting out on 4-mallets. As the piece is only comprised of double vertical strokes, one can focus on the skill of small interval changes while keeping to the established polyrhythmic groove. The rhythmic patterns can be perfected on drums away from the 4.3 octave marimba before tackling the chord changes at the keyboard.

In Sync (and then some)

Kaylie6132 — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:38:39 +0000

This composition is a sequel to ‘In Sync‘, providing an extension to the original version, as well as being marked at a faster tempo. Regarded as being a short grade 3 piece, this is an accessible stepping stone for students to gain confidence developing a secure grip of the mallets.

In Sync

Kaylie6132 — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:27:34 +0000

In Sync is a technically simple solo focusing on synchronisation between the hands. Being written in F# pentatonic, the performer is only required to play on the top row, although being challenged to discern between the parallel chords and interval changes. A worthwhile milestone in one’s foundational journey in 4 mallets.