DE mit weichen Schlägeln percussion technique core term Support my free tools
How is mit weichen Schlägeln played?
Select mallets whose heads are soft relative to the instrument’s ordinary or contrasting option. Depending on context they may use soft felt, yarn, cord, rubber or another padded construction, with size and weight matched to the vibrating body. Softer mallets generally reduce the prominence of the initial contact, favour a slower build-up and help repeated strokes merge, but they do not guarantee warmth, low volume, long sustain or every low partial. On a large tam-tam, for example, a mallet that is too small may fail to excite the lowest components. Preserve playing point, force, roll, duration and damping as separate instructions.
How does mit weichen Schlägeln sound?
A warm, dark, rounded sound with a soft, almost padded attack and emphasis on lower frequencies.
In context
Weiche Schlägel names a relative hardness category, unlike mit Filzschlägeln, which specifies covering material. VSL distinguishes soft, hard, wood and metal implements and shows that instrument size, head construction and dynamic change the outcome. No complete German candidate obtained three independent direct expansions, so mit weichen Schlägeln remains written out.
Equivalent terms
- EN with soft mallets
- DA med bløde køller