Xylophone

The xylophone is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars arranged in a keyboard-like layout and struck with mallets to produce pitched tones. It belongs to the idiophone family, since its sound originates from the bars themselves.

Construction and range: The bars are typically made from hardwoods such as rosewood or from synthetic materials. They rest on a frame and have resonators, usually tubes, beneath each bar to amplify the sound. The instrument commonly spans about four octaves, with a typical range around F3 to C7. Mallets with different heads—yarn, cord, or hardness—produce a variety of timbres, from bright, glassy attacks to subtler, mellower tones.

Playing technique and uses: The xylophone is usually played with two mallets in each hand, enabling rapid passages and precise pitch accuracy. It is used in orchestras, concert bands, chamber ensembles, and jazz settings, as well as in education and community music programs. Dynamic control ranges from soft to very bright and piercing tones, depending on mallet choice and playing technique.

History and context: The modern concert xylophone developed in Europe in the 19th century, building on earlier wooden instruments from Africa and Southeast Asia. The name comes from Greek roots meaning “wood” and “sound.” Since its standardization, the instrument has appeared in classical repertoire, contemporary music, and film scores, contributing a distinctive bright timbre.

Variations and related instruments: The xylophone is closely related to the marimba (which uses larger resonators and longer bars for a warmer tone) and the vibraphone (metal bars with a motor-driven vibrato). In education, smaller Orff-style xylophones are common, and professional versions vary in size and range to suit different ensembles.