The marimba is an instrument; its notes in the same order of a piano keyboard, only much larger.
The most important part of the marimba is the wood, though many may remember them by the curtain of metal pipes (resonators), which are painted in interesting colors.
The notes (bars) are usually made of Rosewood, a dense, reddish wood that seems to have a very rich reverberating quality. The notes have to be flawless, using the best wood devoid of cracks, and hand ground down to the perfect pitch.
Because of the considerable size of this instrument, marimbas are usually made to be disassembled and reassembled quickly and easily, providing for trouble-free transportation.
Here comes the poetic stuff:
I would describe good marimba music as complex rhythmic patterns dancing passionately over singing wood. Somehow this combination of wood and yarn brings to mind a musical image that few other instruments can imitate. This seems to be music in its most primitive form; carefully selected wooden bars are made to vibrate over individually sized metal chasms. It can produce everything from sweetly singing tones, to dark, depressing feelings; from broad, beautiful themes, to intense, continuous motion.
I'm so sorry I can't put a sample up here for you; I really tried hard.
I cannot help but love playing the marimba, and I hope to make contributions to the world of marimba music, incorporating it into almost every style.
The most important part of the marimba is the wood, though many may remember them by the curtain of metal pipes (resonators), which are painted in interesting colors.
The notes (bars) are usually made of Rosewood, a dense, reddish wood that seems to have a very rich reverberating quality. The notes have to be flawless, using the best wood devoid of cracks, and hand ground down to the perfect pitch.
Because of the considerable size of this instrument, marimbas are usually made to be disassembled and reassembled quickly and easily, providing for trouble-free transportation.
Here comes the poetic stuff:
I would describe good marimba music as complex rhythmic patterns dancing passionately over singing wood. Somehow this combination of wood and yarn brings to mind a musical image that few other instruments can imitate. This seems to be music in its most primitive form; carefully selected wooden bars are made to vibrate over individually sized metal chasms. It can produce everything from sweetly singing tones, to dark, depressing feelings; from broad, beautiful themes, to intense, continuous motion.
I'm so sorry I can't put a sample up here for you; I really tried hard.
I cannot help but love playing the marimba, and I hope to make contributions to the world of marimba music, incorporating it into almost every style.
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5 comments:
Hmmmm, very interesting.
Charlie, do you play the marimba in church often? Since you love it so much, it would seem like a "no brainer!"
Some would think so, but its resonant quality can sometimes be overpowering. This makes it a nice solo instrument, but not as much an accompaniment instrument. Also, because of its great size, it has trouble finding a place on the stage.
That looks like a cool instrument.
Man, if you know how to play one, it is awesome!
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