Vibraphone

The vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp, is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It is similar to the xylophone; the vibraphone uses metal bars instead of the wooden bars on the xylophone. Below each bar is a resonating tube with small metal disc located at the top; the discs in each tube are connected via a rod which can be made to rotate with a motor. When the motor is on and a note is struck, the notes acquire a tremolo sound. The player can vary the speed of the tremolo. With the motor off, the vibraphone has a mellow, bell-like sound.

Some famous vibraphonists:

• Roy Ayers
• Karl Berger
• Jeff Berman
• Gary Burton
• Lionel Hampton
• Stefon Harris
• Bobby Hutcherson
• Milt Jackson
• Mike Manieri
• Steve Nelson
• Red Norvo
• Dave Samuels
• Cal Tjader
• Gust Tsilis