The type of drum being played, whether the head of the mallet should be made of hard or soft material, and the handle materials all play a role in determining which drum mallet to use. The desired sound quality, the type of music played, and the lifespan of drum mallet materials and construction are all important factors to consider. Drum mallets can be bought or made at home. Players of the tympani, marimba, and vibraphone sometimes make their own drum mallets to suit their preferences. There are many different manufacturers of commercially produced drum mallets, and a few specialize in drum mallets for specific instruments.
Drum mallets with a wooden or metal handle that resembles a drumstick are commonly used in marching percussion and on drum-set drums. Additional grip materials, such as rubber or PVC, may be used on marching drum mallets and metal-handled mallets. Felt mallet heads have a medium hardness and can be made softer by wrapping them in cotton.
Rubber drum mallets are harder than felt but softer than plastic or wood, which allows for softer sounds at lower volumes and staccato sounds at higher volumes. In terms of sound quality, plastic and wooden mallets are similar to drumsticks, but with more volume and the ability to be heard in loud, multi-instrument ensembles and marching band percussion. The balance of a drum mallet is determined by the instrument it is used for and can be adjusted to fit an individual’s style.
Tympani mallets typically have a wooden handle and a cotton-wrapped felt, wood, or plastic core. There are several levels of softness to allow for instrument sensitivity. The fluffy softest of these resembles a giant cotton ball. The hardness of tympani mallets is usually determined by using felt or a felt-encased wood or plastic core.
The most diverse mallets are keyboard mallets. The handles of these mallets are made of wood, fiberglass, or rattan, as is customary. The heads can be a simple round ball made of a variety of woods, metals, or plastics, each with its own tonal characteristics. A yarn-wrapped core is used in more intricate heads. Depending on the sound desired, the wrappings can be open or tight, thick or thin. Some drummers use keyboard mallets on traditional drums to create different sound textures.
Each drum mallet has a distinct sound. If played too hard, harder drum mallets can damage the drum head. With heavy use, lighter, softer mallets will break down. A drum mallet, on the other hand, can last a lifetime if properly cared for.