Marimba

The marimba is a tuned percussion instrument comprised of wooden bars struck by mallets. It has a warmer tone and lower range than the xylophone.1

Range: 4 - 5 octaves Tone: dark; mellow; earthy; hollow; resonant Mallet Construction: Shaft: Wood Head: Rubber wrapped in yarn Mallet Technique: 2 per hand Useful techniques:

  • Arpeggios
  • Tremolos – single note and chords
  • Trills
  • Glissando
  • Chords Orchestration:
  • Good as a solo instrument
  • Pairs with other percussion
  • Acts as harmony for trumpet melodies
  • Pairs with woodwinds (low clarinets, bassoon)