ROW-LOFF 1024 THE MALLET PLAYER'S TOOLBOX BY JOHN R HEARNES

The Mallet Player’s Toolbox by John R. Hearnes

The Mallet Player’s Toolbox by John R. Hearnes is an essential modern method book for developing keyboard percussionists. This 88-page, 10-lesson curriculum provides a structured, easy-to-follow approach to learning mallets, music reading, technique, rhythm, and musical understanding—all in a format that is fun, practical, and highly effective for students and educators alike.

Designed to work as a stand-alone mallet method or alongside the widely respected Snare Drummer’s Toolbox, this book offers a musically holistic approach that introduces technique, theory, and creativity together. Whether you’re teaching a beginning percussion class, working with private students, or guiding a motivated self-learner, The Mallet Player’s Toolbox delivers a complete foundation for long-term success.

To expand the learning experience even further, the book includes access to an impressive collection of downloadable add-ons such as student and director PDF materials, ensemble parts, play-along tracks, groove tracks, click tracks, and piano accompaniment resources.

Key Features

• 88-page keyboard percussion method book
• 10-lesson curriculum designed for steady progression
• Can be used as a stand-alone method or with Snare Drummer’s Toolbox
• Includes a student PDF addendum with extended scales, arpeggios, and lesson exercises
• Includes a director PDF addendum featuring scores for solos, duets, and exercises
• Includes parts for the percussion ensemble piece “Tools of the Trade”
• Includes additional timpani exercises and timpani ensemble parts
• Over 25 Play-Along Trax for mallet and snare solos/duets
• Fun Groove Trax featuring drumline, beat-box, and rhythm section styles
• Click Trax in tempos from 60 BPM to 180 BPM
• Piano accompaniment tracks for “Justnata Sonata” (with and without solo part)

Benefits

• Builds a strong foundation in mallet technique, note reading, and musicianship
• Provides a clear and logical progression that is easy for students to follow
• Encourages creativity with a curriculum that includes composition concepts
• Makes practice more engaging with play-alongs, grooves, and click tracks
• Perfect for band programs needing a structured keyboard percussion curriculum
• Great for private lessons and independent student learning
• Director resources simplify teaching with full score formats and coordinated parts
• Expands beyond mallets with included timpani and ensemble material

Included Downloadable Additions

• Student PDF addendum with keyboard chart, expanded scale/arpeggio work, and additional exercises
• Director PDF addendum with all solos/duets/exercises in score form (snare + mallet parts combined)
• Complete score for “Tools of the Trade” including new mallet and timpani parts
• Over 25 Play-Along Trax for the Toolbox curriculum
• Groove Trax in multiple styles and tempos for more fun and musical practice
• Click Trax from 60–180 BPM
• Piano accompaniment for “Justnata Sonata” (with and without solo mallet part)

What Educators Are Saying

Percussion educators and professionals consistently praise The Mallet Player’s Toolbox for its clarity, pacing, and musical depth:

• David England – Blackman Middle Band (Nashville, TN)
• Ward Durrett – WGI Hall of Fame
• Lalo Davila – Percussion Professor, Middle Tennessee State University
• Julie Hill, DMA – University of Tennessee at Martin / Percussive Arts Society

About Row-Loff Productions

Row-Loff Productions is a leading publisher of percussion education materials, trusted by band directors, private instructors, and students worldwide. Known for producing innovative, high-quality method books, solo collections, and ensemble literature, Row-Loff has become a staple in percussion studios and band programs. Their publications emphasize practical musicianship, modern pedagogy, and real-world performance development—making them an essential resource for today’s percussion education.

A Must-Have Resource for Developing Mallet Players

Whether you’re teaching a percussion section, building a private lesson curriculum, or expanding your program’s mallet instruction, The Mallet Player’s Toolbox provides an engaging, well-structured pathway for success. With downloadable play-alongs, lesson addendums, ensemble resources, and a proven step-by-step format, this book truly lives up to its name: a complete toolbox for every mallet player.