Definition

Noun: A musical instrument in the percussion family. It consists of metal bars arranged like a piano keyboard, which are struck with mallets. Below each bar is a resonator tube containing a small, electrically powered fan or disk that opens and closes, creating a pulsating, vibrato sound.

Usage and Examples

The word "vibraphone" refers specifically to this instrument. It is used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. * The vibraphone has a uniquely shimmering sound. * The jazz ensemble featured a brilliant vibraphone solo. * Her primary instrument is the vibraphone.

Advanced Usage

• As a defining characteristic: The instrument's name is often used to specify a particular type of musical performance or recording.
  • He is known for his vibraphone work on that classic album.

Variants and Related Words

• Vibes (n., informal): A common colloquial shortening of "vibraphone."
  • He switched from drums to vibes later in his career.
• Vibraphonist (n.): A person who plays the vibraphone.
  • She is an accomplished vibraphonist.

Synonyms and Near-Synonyms

• Vibraharp (n.): An alternative name for the same instrument, though "vibraphone" is more common in modern usage.

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Percussion instrument: The family of instruments to which the vibraphone belongs.
• Xylophone: A related percussion instrument with wooden bars.
• Marimba: A related percussion instrument with wooden bars and deeper resonators.
• Glockenspiel: A related percussion instrument with steel bars.
• Mallets: The beaters used to play the vibraphone.

Noun

1. a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone but having metal bars and rotating disks in the resonators that produce a vibrato sound