Four Mallet Grip Types

The three four mallet grips

Traditional cross-grip, Musser (stevens) grip, and the Burton grip

Traditional Cross-grip

adding a second mallet to the hand between the index and middle finger and grasping the end for the added second mallet shaft with the little and ring fingers.

How to spread the mallets in a traditional cross-grip

Mallets are spread by inserting the thumb next to the index finger inside the shaft of the first mallet

How to close the mallets in a traditional cross grip

the little, ring, and middle fingers squeeze the shafts together as the thumb moves back to the outside of the first mallet shaft

The Musser (Stevens) Grip

pulling the first mallet out to a point where it is held only by the thumb and index finger and supported by the middle finger. Then the second mallet is inserted between the middle and ring fingers (along the side of the palm of the hand)

How does the Musser (Stevens) grip differ from the traditional cross grip

the shafts do not cross and the mallets are independently controlled

How are the mallets spread in the Musser (Stephens) grip?

by pointing the index finger to the side and rolling the mallet shaft in the pivot point away from the second mallet

How are the mallets closed in the Musser (Stevens) grip?

By brining the index finger back to a closed position

Burton Grip

Placing a mallet between the index and middle fingers and gripping the shaft into the palm by forming a square with the middle finger and the shaft. The second mallet then is inserted through the square formed by the middle finger and the mallet shaft.

How to spread the mallets in the Burton Grip

spread by inserting the thumb next to the index finger inside the shaft and spreading the thumb and index finger apart

How to close the mallets in a Burton grip

by bringing the ring and little fingers toward the palm around the end of the mallet shaft and moving the thumb back outside the shaft and pushing it toward the index finger