MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: PERCUSSION: MELODIC

Melodic Percussion

Xylophones
Xylophones are instruments which consist of wooden bars which are played with sticks. Metallophones look similar, but have metal bars. They usually have tubes or gourds below each bar to increase the volume and act as resonators.

Xylophones come in their standard form which is two rows on a stand, or can be played a number of other ways. Celestas, look like upright pianos, however they consist of a glockenspiel-like xylophone which is struck when a key is pushed. Vibraphones look exactly like xylophones but sound worlds different, this is because an electric fan produces a vibrato effect.

Chimes
Chimes and bells are instruments struck with beaters, or rung by internal clappers. Orchestral chimes were developed to make the rich sound of multi-ton church bells, possible in the orchestra. From simple handbells, which are bells played by flicking the wrist, to the common triangle... chimes and bells are very popular melodic percussion instruments.

Jew’s Harp
Contrary to its name, the small jew’s harp has no true relation to Jewish music. When played it uses the mouth as its resonator, and depending on how the musician forms his mouth, different sounds can be produced. A relative of the jew’s harp is the mbira which consists of metal tongues attached to a wooden soundboard. When plucked, these tongues produce a twangy sound.