Pedaling techniques are at least as important for the four-mallet vibist as for two-mallet players, but the all-or-nothing damping system of the pedal/pad presents many obstacles to multi-linear playing, since each line normally has its own damping requirements independent of the other lines. To overcome this, four-mallet players use a set of damping techniques referred to as "mallet damping", in addition to the pedaling techniques used by two-mallet players. There are many benefits of being proficient in this technique as a vibraphonist. As it allows a player to hold out one chord and add or subtract any individual pitch desired, a vibist can transition between chords much more smoothly than a pianist who cannot stop a string from vibrating without reaching inside the instrument when the pedal is down. Most modern vibraphonists are highly skilled in this technique. The mallet damping techniques "are to the vibist as garlic and fresh basil are to the Northern Italian chef" and contribute significantly to expressive four-mallet playing.