A percussionist's towel comprises a terry-cloth towel having a deformable band centrally located between the long edges of the towel and preferably including grommets along the shorter edges of the towel. The deformable band may comprise a pocket filled with microbeads, foam, padding, flocculation, or other substances used for pillows. The towel and deformable band are sound-deadening. The deformable band deters percussion mallets or the like from rolling off the towel when the towel is placed on a music stand that has been set into a generally horizontal position to function as a table.