The information in this section has come from books by Beck (1995) and Girsberger (1998), and the Web site "music.vt.edu (n.d.)
See the "References" section at the end

Click on the picture to hear what each instrument sounds like.

• Percussion instruments that are structured the same as pianos
• In a Concert Band these include:
  
• Chimes/Tubular Bells
  
• CHIMES/TUBULAR BELLS: 2 metre vertical metal tubes of approximately 1 1/2 Octaves with a sustain pedal







• Glockenspiel/Bells
  
• GLOCKENSPIEL/ORCHESTRA BELLS: Steel or aluminium bars. Usually 2 1/2 Octaves







• Vibraphone
  
• VIBRAPHONE: Metal or aluminium bars. Usually 3 Octaves. Developed in the USA in the 1920s. Has a sustain pedal.







• Xylophone
  
• XYLOPHONE: Wood or synthetic bars (such as Kelon). Usually 3 1/2 Octaves. Originally from Africa and Asia







• Marimba


• MARIMBA Wood or synthetic bars. From 2 1/2 to 5 Octaves. Originated in Africa, but also had early history in Asia and South America

• CHIMES: Use a rawhide or hard plastic hammer. Strike the uppermost edge of the tubular bell


• GLOCKENSPIEL/VIBRAPHONE/XYLOPHONE/MARIMBA: Play in the center of the bar. In very fast passages the closest edge can also be used

• Playing Keyboard percussion is like drawing a big "tick" in the air. The wrist is the main joint for this action.


• The bottom of the tick is where you strike the bar


• This action is called an "up-stroke"


• Use specialised mallets

WHEN are Keyboard percussion instruments played?

WHY are keyboard percussion played?

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