middle finger follows along and remains in light contact. When properly used, this grip causes no tension on the hand muscles. This grip is primarily used with light mallets and movements that are close to the keyboard. Movements There are three major movements associated with Stevens grip. While playing, the hands and arms should be relaxed, but the muscles engaged. The first movement focuses on the movement of both mallets hitting the board at the same time. To achieve this movement, the player will only move the wrist in an up and down motion. The second movement is achieved through the movement of the two outer mallets, or the first and fourth mallets. These mallets should be moved with only the rotation of the forearm and the two inner mallets, or the second and third mallets, should only have a stationary rotation. The third motion is the movement of the inner mallets. This motion should also be achieved by the rotation of the forearm. Stroke types The "piston stroke" is an essential component of Stevens grip. With this stroke, the mallets start in the up position, strike the bars, then return to the up position. The mallets are propelled completely by the wrist, and there is no prep stroke. When changing notes, the piston stroke is modified so that it starts above the first note and ends above the second note, ready to strike. Strokes are further divided into four categories of motion. "Single independent" strokes involve moving the inside or outside mallets singly, pivoting around the shaft of the unused mallet. "Single alternating" strokes are used in single note patterns to be played by the same hand, alternating the inside and outside mallets. "Double vertical" strokes are used in playing double notes simultaneously by the same hand. "Double lateral" strokes are used for fast, rhythmically adjacent notes to be played by the same hand. This method of striking the bars is designed for accuracy and efficiency, since it attempts to eliminate all wasted motion. The piston stroke consolidates the preparation for each stroke into the recovery of the previous stroke. Comparison to other grips There are three main grips used by mallet players: traditional crossed, Burton grip (developed by jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton as a variation of traditional crossed), and Stevens. The traditional crossed grip and Stevens grip are primarily used by classical marimba players (the former being more