Averticals 4 Front Ensemble Exercise

January 9, 2020
Mike Linnehan

Exercise for mallet players building 4-mallet foundation to train both hands to work independently and together with equal control.

Double verticals. Interval control. Clean, relaxed motion.

Averticals 4 is a focused 4-mallet keyboard exercise—perfect for developing left-hand accuracy, interval consistency, and rebound control across medium and small intervals.

Players must shift quickly and efficiently between changing chord shapes, adjusting spacing and mallet heights in real time.

This short rep rewards thoughtful mechanics and punishes tension. Staying relaxed is key.

The exercise encourages intentional movement, off-center strikes for clear tone, and subtle rotation through the wrist and forearm—not the shoulder.

4-Mallet Exercise for Marching Keyboard Percussion

Best used as:

A 4-mallet technique builder for front ensemble warmups
A private lesson or off-season training tool
A rep for spatial awareness, stroke economy, and visual consistency

What you’ll get (free):

Printable 1-page PDF of the full Averticals 4 exercise
Written in 4/4 time for rhythmic clarity and accessibility
Designed for marimba or vibraphone (adaptable to any 4-mallet instrument)
Clean notation for double vertical mechanics and movement control

Why instructors love it:

Develops left-hand consistency across shifting intervals
Reinforces rebound timing and stroke evenness
Pairs well with odd-meter variations like Averticals 7/6
Quick to learn, easy to loop, and highly effective

🎧 A video play-along demo is included to help players hear phrasing and observe stroke mechanics.

Download the free PDF and add Averticals 4 to your front ensemble technique stack today.

Averticals 4 Front Ensemble Exercise

4-Mallet Exercise for Marching Keyboard Percussion

Best used as:

What you’ll get (free):

Why instructors love it:

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