Grip style<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nIMPORTANT! <\/strong>For all things related to your mallet instrument, please ask your band director or private teacher, as they can provide specific guidance and create custom lesson plans for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\nParts of a Mallet Instrument<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are five primary types of mallet instruments: chimes, xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, and vibraphone. While each instrument has distinct features, they all have one thing in common: tone bars, which produce the notes. The tone bar area will often be referred to as the keyboard since it\u2019s laid out like a piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Vibraphones, xylophones, and marimbas have additional hardware. This includes a damper pedal, rails, and resonators (sometimes called resonator tubes or pipes).
- Resonators are tuned specifically for each bar and help project the sound.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Vibraphones also have fans that give them their signature vibrato sound. The fans are attached to a driver, which is attached to a controller. This allows you to adjust the speed of the fan rotation.<\/li>
- Like a piano, the natural<\/strong> tone bars are closest to you. The accidental<\/strong> (also known as chromatic<\/strong>) tone bars are further away.<\/li>
- While all mallet instruments have the same keybed layout, the range and tuning differ.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tone bed material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tone bed (keyboard) material will differ depending on the mallet instrument. The material used plays a significant role in the overall tone of your instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Marimbas and xylophones traditionally have rosewood tone beds, which provide a warm sound. Synthetic materials are also used, but they are less common.<\/li>
- Vibraphone tone bars are often made of aluminum alloy, and glockenspiel and bell tone bars are usually some type of steel. These materials give the instruments their bright percussive sounds.<\/li>
- Mallet material matters! Not only can it affect tone, but using incorrect materials can result in damage. For example, metal mallets on a marimba or xylophone can dent or crack the wooden tone bars.