Member-only story

The Ultimate Guide to Playing the Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, or Bells

Roberto Bolaño

·17k Followers· Follow

Published in Percussion Keyboard Technic: For Marimba Xylophone Vibraphone Or Bells

6 min read

675 View Claps

45 Respond

Save

Listen

If you're looking to learn how to play a percussion instrument, the marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, or bells are all great choices. These instruments are relatively easy to learn to play, and they can be used in a wide variety of musical genres.

Percussion Keyboard Technic: For Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone or Bells

by Javier Marcó

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33424 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	56 pages

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about playing these instruments, from choosing the right instrument to learning basic techniques to playing more advanced pieces.

Choosing the Right Instrument

The first step in learning how to play the marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, or bells is choosing the right instrument.

The marimba is a large, wooden instrument with a range of four octaves. It is played by striking the bars with mallets.

The xylophone is a smaller, wooden instrument with a range of three octaves. It is also played by striking the bars with mallets.

The vibraphone is a metal instrument with a range of three octaves. It is played by striking the bars with mallets, and it produces a vibrating sound.

The bells are a set of metal tubes that are suspended from a frame. They are played by striking the tubes with mallets.

Each of these instruments has its own unique sound and playing style. The marimba is known for its warm, mellow sound, while the xylophone has a brighter, more percussive sound. The vibraphone has a unique, ethereal sound, and the bells have a clear, ringing sound.

When choosing an instrument, it's important to consider your musical goals. If you want to play classical music, the marimba or vibraphone may be a good choice. If you want to play jazz or popular music, the xylophone or bells may be a better choice.

Learning Basic Techniques

Once you've chosen an instrument, it's time to start learning how to play it.

The first step is to learn how to hold the mallets correctly. The mallets should be held between the thumb and first two fingers, with the palm of the hand facing up.

Next, you'll need to learn how to strike the bars. The bars should be struck with the center of the mallet, and the mallet should be held perpendicular to the bar.

The force with which you strike the bars will determine the volume of the sound. A harder strike will produce a louder sound, while a softer strike will produce a softer sound.

You can also use different techniques to create different sounds. For example, you can play a roll by striking the bars in rapid succession. You can also play a glissando by sliding the mallet from one bar to another.

Playing More Advanced Pieces

Once you've mastered the basic techniques, you can start playing more advanced pieces.

There are many different types of music that can be played on the marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, or bells. You can play classical music, jazz, popular music, and even folk music.

If you're interested in playing classical music, there are many different pieces that you can choose from. Some popular pieces for the marimba include Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5." Some popular pieces for the xylophone include Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" and Saint-Saëns' "Danse macabre." Some popular pieces for the vibraphone include Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Piazzolla's "Libertango." Some popular pieces for the bells include Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

If you're interested in playing jazz or popular music, there are many different songs that you can choose from. Some popular jazz songs for the marimba include "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck and "So What" by Miles Davis. Some popular jazz songs for the xylophone include "Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman and "Moonlight Serenade" by Glenn Miller. Some popular jazz songs for the vibraphone include "Django" by Reinhardt and Grappelli and "Body and Soul" by Coleman Hawkins. Some popular jazz songs for the bells include "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin and "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin.

If you're interested in playing folk music, there are many different songs that you can choose from. Some popular folk songs for the marimba include "Shenandoah" and "Amazing Grace." Some popular folk songs for the xylophone include "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Some popular folk songs for the vibraphone include "Scarborough Fair" and "Greensleeves." Some popular folk songs for the bells include "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells."

The marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, and bells are all great instruments to learn how to play. These instruments are relatively easy to learn to play, and they can be used in a wide variety of musical genres.

If you're interested in learning how to play one of these instruments, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can find books, online tutorials, and even private lessons.

With a little practice, you'll be able to master the basics of playing the marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, or bells. And once you've mastered the basics, you can start playing your favorite songs.

Percussion Keyboard Technic: For Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone or Bells

by Javier Marcó

4.8 out of 5