Vibraphone

percussion · metal bars · jazz · music

Metal bars shine. The vibraphone has tuned metal bars arranged in order, just like a piano keyboard. When you hit them with mallets, each bar plays a different note.

Mallets make the magic. Vibraphonists use special mallets with soft heads to gently strike the bars. The softness of the mallet changes how bright or mellow the sound becomes.

Shimmering motor inside. Many vibraphones have a motor underneath that makes metal tubes under the bars vibrate, creating a shimmering, wavering effect in the sound. You can turn the motor on or off depending on the music you want.

Jazz favorite instrument. The vibraphone became super popular in jazz music because its warm, dreamy sound fits perfectly with jazz rhythms and improvisation.

Professional players exist. People who play vibraphone are called vibraphonists, vibraharpists, or vibists. They train for years to master the quick, precise finger movements needed.