MIDDLE SCHOOL

Concert Bells
2 1/2 octave aluminum bars (R135)
Bell stand (R121-ST)

Aluminum bars provide good sound projection, are lightweight, and more economical than steel bars, making them ideal for the middle school.

Helpful Hint: Bells played with softer mallets can substitute for chimes, vibraphone, or Celeste. Concert bells can also substitute for crotales.

Xylophone
3 1/2 octave synthetic bars (R320)

A synthetic bar instrument with adjustable height provides durability and the ability to accommodate any size student (which fosters proper technique), and is an economic alternative to rosewood.

Helpful Hint: Xylophone played with softer mallets can substitute for marimba. It is an excellent instrument for developing keyboard facility. There is a wealth of ragtime solo literature, which is both fun and educational for the young soloist. Xylophones should always be covered and protected when not in use. Be sure a protective drop cover comes with your xylophone.

Chimes
1 1/2 octave 1 1/4" diameter brass or chrome plated tubes (R500 or R505)

Brass tubes have a bright, rich sound while chrome plated tubes have a darker, more mellow tone. Which to choose is simply a matter of weighing preference against budget as chrome plated chimes are more costly. The 1 1/4" diameter tubes are lighter weight for easy transport and are more economical than 1 1/2" diameter tubes.

Helpful Hint: Chimes should always be covered and protected when not in use. Be sure a protective drop cover comes with your chimes. Rawhide mallets are an ideal choice for chimes. Acrylic mallets are an acceptable alternative, but tend to break more easily.

Marimba
4 octave synthetic bars (R415)

As with the xylophone, a height adjustable synthetic bar marimba is ideally suited for middle school use. Having this instrument will enable directors to expand their programs with percussion ensembles and allow middle school students to be exposed to the marimba as a solo instrument.
This type of marimba is appropriate for middle school since most of the beginning and intermediate literature is played within a 4 octave range.

Helpful Hint: Marimbas should always be covered and protected when not in use. Be sure a protective drop cover is supplied with you marimba. A 3-octave marimba (R410) is a more economical option.

Vibraphone
3 octave silver bars (R705)

The ideal vibraphone for middle school use should have certain features including height adjustability to foster proper technique, a uniformly wide bar design to develop the tactical sense necessary for playing keyboard percussion instruments, and a durable design that will withstand the rigors of young percussionist.

Helpful Hint: With some transcription, vibraphone can substitute for many harp and piano parts. Single-locking casters stop the wheels from spinning, but do not prevent them from rotating. This allows the instrument to move as you pedal. Heavy-duty double-locking casters, which eliminate swivel and rotation, prevent this problem, allowing trouble-free pedaling. Vibes should always be covered and protected when not in use. Be sure a protective drop cover comes with your vibraphone.

Helpful Hint: With some transcription, vibraphone can substitute for many harp and piano parts. Single-locking casters stop the wheels from spinning, but do not prevent them from rotating. This allows the instrument to move as you pedal. Heavy-duty double-locking casters, which eliminate swivel and rotation, prevent this problem, allowing trouble-free pedaling. Vibes should always be covered and protected when not in use. Be sure a protective drop cover comes with your vibraphone.

Marimba
4 1/3 octave rosewood bars (R420W or R420WF)

Much the same way that band directors have found the worth of having "marching horns" (sousaphones and trumpet-style baritones, French horns, and mellophones) and "concert horns" (traditional French horns and front-action tubas and baritones), you will find the worth in having "pit percussion" mallet instruments (synthetic xylophones and marimbas) and "concert percussion" mallet instruments (rosewood xylophones and marimbas). Having two instruments, each dedicated to a specific use, will extend the life of both instruments while meeting the specific needs of each idiom.

Helpful Hint: Above and beyond the benefit mentioned above is the fact that two instruments will allow you to expand your percussion program by performing literature requiring more than one instrument.

A FINAL NOTE

This purchasing plan is only a guide. It may be advantageous to go out of order if a year of budget surplus allows for the acquisition of a more expensive instrument (e.g. chimes before a xylophone). However, it may be wiser to get the next instrument on the list and use the additional money to purchase other needed, less expensive accessories. Let your percussive conscience be your guide.

Orchestra bells are the first priority because there are more parts written for bells than for any other instrument at all levels of music. It also substitutes for the other metal bar instruments nicely. Purchasing a second set for marching band extends the life of the "concert set". Xylophone is second because it is the most frequently used wooden bar instrument and can substitute for marimba. Chimes are third; even though most parts can be covered on orchestra bells, the sound of chimes is quite unique and there are numerous parts written for them, often in conjunction with orchestra bells. The next purchase is a judgment call. If the school has a strong
"classical" or "concert" program, a marimba would be the logical choice. If the school has a strong jazz program, it would be better to purchase a vibraphone. This instrument does have "legitimate" literature written for it also. In the public school situation, a synthetic bar marimba is preferable since its durability allows it to be used both as a concert and marching instrument. Ideally, a second rosewood marimba would be purchased as the primary concert instrument. Then, the synthetic bar marimba functions as the dedicated marching instrument and also as a second instrument in percussion ensemble.