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Marimba music is a rich, melodic, and rhythmically intricate form of musical expression centered around the marimba a percussion instrument that belongs to the idiophone family. With its vibrant tones and complex polyphonic textures, marimba music spans continents and cultures, particularly flourishing in Latin America and Africa.
What Is a Marimba?
The marimba is a xylophone-like instrument made of wooden bars (traditionally rosewood or padauk) arranged similarly to a piano keyboard. Under each bar is a resonator usually a tube made of metal or wood which amplifies the sound when the bar is struck with a mallet. The instrument can vary in size from small, portable versions to large concert marimbas with an extended range of up to five octaves.
Historical Origins
Africa
The earliest versions of marimba-like instruments can be traced back to sub-Saharan Africa, where slit drums and xylophones were used in ceremonial and social contexts. In countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, traditional wooden xylophones known as balafons and gyil are still widely played. These instruments are the spiritual ancestors of the modern marimba.
Central America
The marimba was brought to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade, where African slaves reconstructed the instrument using local materials. Guatemala and southern Mexico especially the Chiapas region are considered the cultural heartlands of marimba music in Latin America. In 1821, the addition of resonators made from dried gourds or wood gave rise to the modern marimba sound.
Types of Marimbas
- Traditional African Marimbas – Often smaller, with buzzing resonators and regional tuning.
- Latin American Marimbas – Larger, often chromatic, used in ensembles and folk festivals.
- Concert Marimbas – Used in Western classical and contemporary music, with precise tuning and sophisticated construction.
Marimba music stands at the intersection of history, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. Whether it’s filling the streets of a Guatemalan town with joyous rhythms or adding subtle emotion to a classical composition, the marimba continues to enchant listeners with its expressive range and global legacy. From its African roots to its modern concert hall prominence, marimba music remains a living, evolving tradition.
 New Book! Instrument Making Books ‘Make Your Own Marimbas’ This is a book of simple illustrated instructions for making Marimbas.‘Make Your Own Wacky Instruments’ This is a collection of ideas for constructing a range of instruments out of cardboard tubes, plastic pipes and bits of wood etc. Our marimbas are inspired by African xylophones but redesigned for three standing players. The simple design means that you can make them yourself. Marimba Music sells six books. The four music books come with CDs. Within Australia we sell marimbas and sets of tone bars, beaters etc.We publish four music books for ensembles of diatonic marimbas, xylophones and other instruments. Most pieces cater for a range of abilities. ‘Marimba Music for Little Kids’ contains mostly songs with only a few notes to play. |
Marimba Playing.
Jon visits schools and involves all the kids in playing marimbas, drums and wacky instruments. A grand performance completes the day.
Marimba Making.
In one day kids (9 and up) can chisel and tune the tone bars for one or two marimbas. The frames are usually made by parents.