Range and Tonality The marimba is the largest instrument in the mallet instrument family. ... The xylophone occupies a higher range (beginning at F) and has a brighter, more piercing sound. Both instruments have resonators (sometimes called resonator tubes or resonator pipes) suspended beneath the tone bars.Apr 18, 2019
How are the bars different on a marimba from a xylophone?
The xylophone has shorter resonators and has a mallet coated or entirely made of rubber or plastic. The marimba has longer resonators with its mallet usually coated with a yarn or cord. ... The xylophone emits a sharper tone whereas the marimba emits a mellow tone.
What is the difference between the xylophone and marimba?
The marimba has soft tones, and the xylophone has hard tones. This difference is the result of each instrument's tuning method. The marimba is tuned on even-numbered harmonics, with tuning on the fundamental pitch, the fourth harmonic, and the 10th harmonic.
How big is a xylophone?
A xylophone's bars are between roughly 2.5 cm and 4.6 cm wide, between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm thick and between roughly 38 cm (lowest note) and 13.5 cm (highest note) long. Modern orchestra xylophones are generally tuned to 442 hertz equal temperament.
What is the main difference between the vibraphone xylophone marimba and glockenspiel?
The main difference between a xylophone and a glockenspiel is that a glockenspiel has metal plates or tubes instead of wooden bars. This makes the glockenspiel a metallophone instrument. Another difference is that the glockenspiel is smaller and is higher pitched.
What is the difference between a vibraphone and a marimba?
The differences between marimba and vibraphone mallets begin with the materials used in their construction. ... Marimba mallets use a softer yarn than vibraphone mallets, which use cord. The harder cord and rounder shape of the mallet head allows the mallets to produce a clear sound from the metal bars of the vibraphone.Aug 25, 2015
Whats the difference between a vibraphone and a xylophone?
While xylophones produce a crisper and richer sound, vibraphones have a much more mellow and damp sound. Depending on what you need them for, both instruments can sound quite beautifully, and it's ultimately up to your own personal choice which one you prefer.
What are the bars of the xylophone and marimba are made of?
Rosewood. Found on the top of the line instruments for both marimbas and xylophones, Rosewood is known for its warmth and resonance properties. This makes Rosewood the ideal material for mallet bars. Rosewood has become an endangered species of wood.Nov 16, 2018