1961
Graded Reading Exercises for Four Mallets by Max Neuhaus is a very simple, but effective sight reading practice book. It begins with simple block chords, and progressive through more and more difficult passages.
Graded Reading Exercises for Four Mallets is a pedagogical method book.
Commonly used in mallet percussion education, the book is designed to build foundational sight-reading skills. It follows a progressive structure, starting with basic block chords and advancing toward more complex melodic and harmonic passages.
Primarily marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone using four-mallet technique.
The exercises are "graded," meaning they move from simple, stationary patterns to passages requiring increased lateral movement and rhythmic independence.
Generally categorized as Medium to Difficult as the student progresses through the book.
This work belongs to Neuhaus's early career as a virtuoso percussionist before he transitioned into pioneering "sound art" and permanent sound installations.
At the time of publication, Neuhaus was finishing his Bachelor of Music (1961) and Master of Music (1962) at the Manhattan School of Music.