per week per student
Mallet Percussion Fundamentals and Techniques | Vibraphone & Marimba
During this 15 week course, students will have 60 minutes each week to study mallet techniques with Grammy-nominated musician, Jerry Tachoir. Learning the fundamentals and techniques associated with playing mallet instruments, students will become proficient in how to approach both the vibraphone and marimba with the proper technique, give them a better ability to read music and learn how to play chord voicings effectively.
Hendersonville, TN
United States
Educator Profile

Course Details
Over the course of 15 weeks, this intermediate level class will introduce and teach students the fundamentals and techniques associated with playing mallet instruments. This includes playing both the vibraphone and marimba as well as the differences between them. This course will teach students about correct grip techniques for each instrument. This will effectively show students how to use the mallets to produce clear louder sounds, dampening effects or even how to produce rolling sounds.
Students will also learn about pedaling which helps the player with phrasing and holding notes to create more compelling pieces. While pedals have historically been used primarily to hold the notes, more contemporary musicians choose to use these to create much more expressive scores of music. Although they may seem intimidating at first, more advanced students will be taught the basic techniques for the creation of harmony and chord voicing. They will learn about guide tones, upper structures and filling out the voicing in an easy to digest manner. Students will also learn how to properly employ improvisation into their playing.
About Jerry Tachoir: With 45 years of experience and multiple Grammy nominations, Jerry Tachoir is one of the key figures today in mallet instruments. Jerry currently teaches, not only privately, but also at Berklee College of Music and has also taught at Belmont University in the past. He has also written "A Contemporary Mallet Method - An Approach to the Vibraphone and Marimba" which has become required reading at several major music schools. Jerry also was the first to release two educational vibraphone videos - "Master Study Series." He has performed at most of the major jazz festivals and concert halls throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.
Students enrolling for this course on ipassio can be sure that they receive individual attention from the teacher, as the class strength is limited to 1 or 2 students. It also gives teachers the opportunity, to gauge their student's progress in-depth and make changes whenever and wherever required, to ensure the student gets the maximum out of this course. Since this course is detailed, students get the advantage of learning intricate details about Mallet Instruments. The limited strength of the class also ensures that there is a strong bond between the students and their teacher clearing out any inhibitions that the student might have. The sustained guidance available from the teacher ensures that the student does not deviate from set goals or targets. Learning from a revered, experienced exponent of Mallet Instruments, through the long duration of this course, keeps the student inspired and motivated to achieve more.
Jerry Tachoir will teach his 4 mallet method and how to approach both instruments with a proper technique and ability to read music and play chord voicings. Advanced students will also get more information on advanced harmony and improvisation skills.
Course prerequisites include access to mallets and either a vibraphone or marimba as well as Jerry's book "A Contemporary Mallet Method - An Approach to the Vibraphone and Marimba."
Weekly Schedule
These sections are for individual students.
If none of the above timings work for you, just sign up for a free session and we'll work out the timings. | Sign up for a Free Session |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section A
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Wed 11:00am - 12:00pm America/Chicago
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section B
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Thu 4:00pm - 5:00pm America/Chicago
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section C
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Mon 12:00pm - 6:00pm America/Chicago
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section D
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Tue 12:00pm - 6:00pm America/Chicago
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1 Seat |
Educator Videos & Links
Have performed at most of the major jazz festivals and concert halls throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Such as, the Northsea Jazz fest in Holland, the prestigious Montreux Jazz Fest in Switzerland, the Montreal International Jazz Fest, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Mellon Jazz Festival in Pittsburgh, the Elkhart Jazz Festival (https://youtu.be/ls3faf4b8eI), etc.
Author of "A Contemporary Mallet Method - An Approach to the Vibraphone and Marimba" - required study at several major music schools.
First to release 2 educational vibraphone videos - "Master Study Series" - www.masterstudyseries.com
Taught at Berklee College of Music, Belmont University, Paris Conservatory.