THE MARIMBA IS A PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT

THE MARIMBA IS A PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT The marimba is a musical instrument similar to the xylophone in appearance. It make a beautiful sound that i think sounds a little like across between a piano and a harp. The marimba is most commonly played in a larger ensemble, such as an orchestra or percussion group, but increasingly it's being played as a solo instrument. Some music has been composed and or arranged specifically for the marimba, and you can also play pieces written for other instrument (especially piano, violin and trumpet) on it. The marimba can be traced all the way back to Africa (hollow logs over holes in the ground), but the modern marimba shape and style actually came from Latin America. The bars on most marimbas today are made either from rare topical woods like rosewood, or else symethetic materials like kelon. The resonators are typically metal (aluminium or brass) and extend beneath the bars. Marimbas are played with mallets made specially for the purpose, usually holding one or two mallets in each hand (for a total of two or four). Most commonly these mallets have wood handles (commonly birch or rottan) with rubbe disk attached at one end and wrapped in yarn. Some mallets use acrylic or latex heads without yarn.