Marimba – African xylophone

Marimba an African xylophone percussion instrument. It is one of the several varieties of xylophone. This instrument is a type of Idiophone.

The xylophone was taken to Latin America by African slaves. The standard range of marimbas used the professional world is between four-and-a-half and five octaves. Large, deep-toned instruments up to 6¹/₂ octaves in range are sometimes played by four musicians.

Components of Marimba

Bars

These are typically made of either wood or synthetic material.  Rosewood is the most desirable, while Padauk is a popular affordable alternative.

Range

There is no standard range of the marimba, but the most common ranges are 4.3 octaves, 4.5 octaves and 5 octaves.

• 4 octave: C₃ to C₇.
• 4.3 octave: A₂ to C₇.
• 4.5 octave: F₂ to C₇.
• 4.6 octave: E₂ to C_7.
• 5 octave: C₂ to C_7.
• Bass range

Resonators

Metal resonator pipes are affixed. The inside of a resonator pipe is hollow. Below the tone plate is open The orchestral marimba, with metal resonators, was developed in the United States in the early 20th century by J.C. Deagan and U.G. Leedy. The secret of Marimba’s rich sound is its resonators.

Mallets

A  shaft is usually made of birch. Now a days the material can be fiberglass. It diameter is around 8 mm. The initial sound produced by the mallet striking the bar is the fundamental, and the tones created by the vibrating bar are the overtones.

The modern marimba can be played by one, two or more people depending upon its size and the music requirement and each can use two or four mallets in their hand to play the instrument.