Marimba
DEFINITION
Percussion instrument of African and Latin American origin. The modern marimba is a mellower version of the xylophone. Versions of the marimba can have a range of up to seven octaves, but the modern standard is four octaves (c to c4) or four-and-a-third octaves (A to c4). Notes played on the marimba sound in the same octave as the written notation. A regional term for the African mbira. Also; mbira; Kalimba; marimba; ikembe; likembe; marimbula; sansa; sanza; finger harp; gourd piano; thumb piano.<br><br>An instrument that consists of a large frame holding wooden resonator bars. This musical instrument is played with mallets.