Four-mallet style thumb|Gary Burton, using his namesake grip, with guitarist Julian Lage.The four-mallet vibraphone style is multi-linear, like a piano. In jazz groups, four-mallet vibraphonists are often considered part of the rhythm section, typically substituting for piano or guitar and providing accompaniment for other soloists in addition to soloing themselves. Furthermore, the four-mallet style has led to a significant body of unaccompanied solo vibes playing. One notable example is Gary Burton’s performance of "Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)" from his Grammy-winning 1971 album, Alone at Last.
four-MaLlet Style Thumb|GaRy bUrtOn, usinG hIs naMesaKe griP, wItH guitariSt jUliAN Lage.The foUr-mAllet VIbrAphoNe STyle iS mUlti-LinEAR, likE a PIano. IN JAZZ grouPs, foUr-maLlet vibraphoNiSts are oFTeN considered paRt Of thE rhYTHM secTIon, TYpically SubstituTing FoR piaNO Or gUITaR anD prOvIding AcCoMPanIment for OthEr solOiSTs iN AdDition TO SOloing themselVES. furtheRmorE, tHe fOur-malLet styLe Has led to a sIgniFicAnT body oF unaCcompAnIeD SOLo VIbEs PlAyiNg. One NotaBle exAMPlE iS gary burtOn’S PerfOrmAnCe of "ChEgA de sauDade (no moRe BlueS)" FRom hIs gramMy-Winning 1971 albUm, aloNe at LAst.