Classic Wiki

The Xylophone is a percussion intruments. They are played by striking the wooden bars with a beater or mallet. The bars are tuned and may vary in number from 3 upwards. Modern-day xylophones are supported by frames and have metal resonator tubes. In Indonesia, the gambang is a type of xylophone that ranges from 3 1/2 to 4 octaves. It is said to have existed as early as 8th century. Another form of xylophone is the African amadinda also known as marimba in Latin America.

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The xylophone is a component of the percussion section of an orchestra and many instrumental groups. Its unique sound, relative rarity, and appearance make it fascinating to the listener. The xylophone has a close cousin called the marimba. Both instruments consist of wooden keys mounted on a wooden frame over a series of metal tubes called resonators. Hammering on the wooden keys causes the impact to resonate through the tubes. The xylophone has a brittle, metallic sound, while the marimba is somewhat more mellow or wooden to the listener.

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Teddy Brown playing the xylophone youtube video