What is the Difference between Glockenspiel Vibraphone Marimba And Xylophone
Different musical instruments are used in different parts of world. Some vary from culture to culture, while some others are universal. Musical instruments are made up of different materials like wood, metal, leather and plastic. Different instruments produce different sounds and vary in pitch and quality. Glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba and Xylophone looks nearly similar, but actually they all are different. Here we are stating some basic differences between them.
Glockenspiel
In this instrument tuned keys are arranged like a piano keyboard. These bars are made of metal, which gives its sound a higher pitch. In some cases these bars are held horizontally, while at times they are mounted vertically. A pair of hard mallets is used to strike the bars. It produces bell like sound.
Vibraphone
Vibraphone is also percussion instruments, which produce sound after being struck by a beater. It appears like Glockenspiel and Xylophone. In vibraphone, each bar is paired with a resonator tube, which creates a vibrating voice. It is usually used in creating Jazz music.
Marimba
This percussion instrument has wooden bars attached with resonators. These bars are struck with mallets in order to produce musical sound. Its tonal range is lower than that of xylophone. It is used in marching bands in orchestral compositions and solo performances.
Xylophone
Another member of percussion family is xylophone. It has wooden bars, which are struck by mallets. Each bar is tuned to a pitch of musical scale. It is used in different ways in different parts of the world.
Glockenspiel vs Vibraphone vs Marimba vs Xylophone
All these are members of percussion family and are used almost all over the world in different forms. In Glockenspiel metal bars are used, while in Vibraphone and Xylophone wooden bars are used. Vibraphone is used in Jazz music while Xylophone is used in western style music. Xylophone produces a crisp sound, while vibraphone produces a mellower sound. Marimba stands on floor while Glockenspiel sits in a case. Marimba has wooden bars and it needs resonating tubs for better sound, while sound produced by glockenspiel is more penetrating and do not need any amplification.