Yamaha Keiko Abe Signature Mallets at Drum Center of Portsmouth

Keiko Abe captivates audiences worldwide with her extraordinary blend of creativity, refined sensitivity, and masterful technique. These remarkable qualities have established her as a driving force in elevating the marimba to its status as a premier concert instrument. Her extensive repertoire enables her to deliver dynamic performances, from solo recitals to chamber music and improvisational works. Renowned for her compositions, which have become staples of marimba literature, she has also inspired numerous composers to dedicate new pieces to her and has premiered countless groundbreaking works.

Abe has collaborated with Yamaha to develop a wide array of mallets, offering to all players the same tools she uses to produce such evokative and astonishing music.

Shafts on all models (except -02 and -03) are 1-1/8" longer than other Yamaha mallets, which allows the mallets to exceed the demands required in contemporary music. Two types of shaft materials are available, rattan (MKA) and birch (MKAW), for compatibility with a wide variety of playing styles.

The round, yarn-wound heads are heavier than standard mallets but are fully capable of delivering nuanced and delicate expression. Additionally, to ensure optimal flexibility, great care was taken in selecting materials for each mallet model, achieving the perfect balance between weight and shaft thickness.

Model MKA-07: Rattan Handle, Soft Head Dual Core w/1mm rubber tube wrapped around core, then wrapped with yarn. This design offers a slightly different touch that delivers greater expressiveness with enhanced sensitivity..