Definition

Noun: 1. A musical instrument of the percussion family, consisting of a set of wooden bars of varying lengths that are arranged like a piano keyboard and are tuned to produce a chromatic scale. The bars are struck with mallets to produce sound, and tubular resonators suspended beneath the bars amplify the tone.

Examples of Usage

• The beautiful, mellow tones of the marimba filled the concert hall.
• She is a virtuoso who can play incredibly fast passages on the marimba.
• The ensemble featured a marimba solo in the third movement.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the context of classical, contemporary, or folk music traditions, particularly those from Central America where the instrument has deep roots.
• In orchestral and band settings, a marimba part is typically notated in both the treble and bass clefs due to its wide range.

Variants and Related Words

• Marimbist (noun): A person who plays the marimba.
  • The renowned marimbist performed a challenging new composition.

Synonyms

• Xylophone: A related percussion instrument with wooden bars, but typically with a brighter, more penetrating sound and without the resonators that give the marimba its characteristic warm, mellow tone. While often used interchangeably by laypeople, they are distinct instruments.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word marimba refers specifically to this instrument and does not have other common metaphorical or idiomatic meanings. Its usage is almost exclusively within musical contexts.

Noun

1. a percussion instrument with wooden bars tuned to produce a chromatic scale and with resonators; played with small mallets