vibraphone

The vibraphone is a percussion instrument in the keyboard family. It consists of metal bars, usually aluminum, arranged in two rows like a piano keyboard. Each bar is struck with a mallet to produce a pitch, and beneath each bar is a resonator tube that amplifies the sound. The instrument typically spans about four octaves, commonly from F3 to F6.

A distinguishing feature is the motor-driven fans inside the resonators, which create a vibrato-like tremolo by modulating the sound’s amplitude. The rate and depth of the tremolo are adjustable on many instruments. Most vibraphones also include a dampening mechanism and a sustain pedal that controls resonance, allowing notes to be damped or sustained after being struck. Mallets are usually yarn- or cord-wrapped and chosen for tonal color.

Playing involves melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic roles, and the instrument is used in jazz, contemporary classical music, and various studio settings. It is often performed with four-murface mallets, enabling rapid lines and chords.

History shows the vibraphone originated in the United States in the early 20th century, with early models produced by companies such as Leedy and the J.C. Deagan Company. It gained prominence in jazz during the mid-20th century, notably through Lionel Hampton, whose performances helped define the instrument’s role. Other influential players include Milt Jackson, Gary Burton, and Bobby Hutcherson.

Related instruments include the xylophone and marimba, which share a keyboard layout but use different materials, resonators, and tonal characteristics.