Xylophones

Looking for your perfect wooden xylophone? Look no further than Gear4music, where you'll find an incredible range of xylophones suitable for every occasion.

Part of the idiophone family, xylophones are percussion instruments that consist of tuned wooden bars or sticks that are played with mallets. Our selection offers something for everyone, whether you are a professional musician looking for a high-quality xylophone, a student searching for a reliable practice instrument, or a parent looking for a fun and educational toy for your child.

With a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect xylophone for your needs and budget. So why wait? Browse our collection today and discover the joy of playing the xylophone!

About Xylophones

Xylophones have a long and fascinating history, dating back thousands of years. The earliest versions of the instrument were made from pieces of wood or bamboo that were struck with mallets to produce different tones. Xylophones were first used in Africa and Asia, where they were played in traditional music and religious ceremonies.

Over time, xylophones evolved and began to be used in Western classical music as well. Today, they are popular in a variety of musical genres, including jazz, pop, and world music. Modern xylophones are typically made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and synthetic materials like fibreglass. The bars are arranged in a chromatic scale and are played with mallets that can be made from a variety of materials, including rubber, plastic, and wood.

Xylophones are played by a wide range of musicians, from professional percussionists to students learning to play music for the first time. They are often used in orchestral music, as well as in marching bands, jazz ensembles, and other musical groups.

One of the unique features of the xylophone is its bright, clear sound that can cut through the texture of an ensemble or orchestra. This makes it a popular choice for adding colour and texture to a wide range of musical styles.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, a xylophone is a versatile and fun instrument to play. With its rich history and wide range of applications, the xylophone is sure to remain a popular choice amongst musicians for years to come.

Xylophones FAQs

What else is a xylophone called?

The xylophone is also commonly called a treble xylophone or a chromatic xylophone. It may also be referred to more generally as a mallet percussion instrument, as it is played with mallets and is part of the percussion family of instruments.

What’s the difference between a xylophone and a glockenspiel?

Here are the key differences between a xylophone and a glockenspiel:

Xylophone	Glockenspiel
Has wooden bars that produce a bright, dry sound	Has metal bars that produce a more shimmering, bell-like tone
Has a wider pitch range and more bars	Has a smaller range and fewer bars
Typically played with hard mallets to produce a sharp, articulate sound	Typically played with softer mallets to create a sustained, ringing tone
Often used to provide a percussive rhythm in music	Often used to add subtle texture to a piece of music

What are the two types of Xylophones?

There are two main types of xylophone; the orchestral (or concert) xylophone, and the marimba xylophone. The orchestral xylophone has a range of three to four octaves and is played with hard rubber mallets to produce a sharp, bright sound. The marimba xylophone has a range of four to five octaves and is played with softer mallets, resulting in a more rounded, mellow sound.