The marimba and the xylophone are both percussion instruments with ancient origins, and they are often mistaken for one another. There are evident similarities that might confuse an untrained observer, but the two instruments have significant fundamental differences.

The marimba and the xylophone belong to the same family, the idiophones, which includes all musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of the material they are made of. They do not have vibrating strings; instead, sound is directly produced by striking the keys, which can be made from different materials.

In general, the classic version features wooden keys (various woods for various tonalities), but there are also marimbas and xylophones made from carbon fiber, other materials, and even glass.

The Marimba

The marimba is generally composed of a set of wooden bars that are struck with mallets made of felt or rubber to produce different notes. Beneath the bars are metal tubes that serve to amplify the sound produced by striking the wooden bars. The metal adds a distinct color to the marimba’s sound, enhancing its frequencies and harmonics. Additionally, the tubes that act as resonators help extend the sound, making it last longer.

The notes produced by a marimba are arranged like the keys of a piano, with groups of two or three raised keys representing minor notes (the black keys on a piano) positioned above the major note bars (the white keys) to give the player better visual and physical control when playing the instrument.

The history and evolution of the marimba are extensive. Modern uses of the marimba include solo performances, ensemble performances with wind instruments, academic concerts for marimba and orchestra, jazz, marching bands, and even traditional music in many Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Guatemala. However, it’s safe to say that any musical instrument can find a place in any context, depending on the creativity and artistry of its player.

The Xylophone

The xylophone is widely used in modern European orchestral music. It ranges in size from 30 cm to 1.5 m. Moreover, the bars are mounted axially or transversely and are usually made of wood. Manufacturers use walnut, rosewood, conifer, African padauk, or other more or less resonant woods.
The bars of the instrument are relatively wide. Consequently, the xylophone does not necessarily need a soundboard or resonance box. However, some instruments, such as the balafon from West Africa, are equipped with resonators. The number of bars can reach several dozen. As with the marimba, the layout of the keys resembles the arrangement of a piano keyboard.

Main Differences Between the Marimba and Xylophone

The differences between the marimba and the xylophone are not primarily based on the materials of the bars or their timbre and tones. Both instruments are percussive and use mallets to strike the wooden keys, but their specific qualities differ.

The marimba can produce lower notes than the xylophone. On the other hand, the xylophone can reach higher pitches. Resonators are used to amplify the sound in both instruments, but the xylophone’s resonators are shorter (or sometimes absent altogether).

One key difference between the instruments is their sound range, or the number of octaves they can cover. An octave is a complete series of 12 notes, spanning from A to G sharp. Xylophones typically have a range of 2.5 to 4 octaves, whereas marimbas usually range from 3 to 5 octaves.
Depending on their size, xylophones can be classified as bass xylophone, alto xylophone, and soprano xylophone.

The Mallets

Playing a xylophone or a marimba involves using different mallets.

For both instruments, mallets with wooden cores are used, but those for the xylophone feature a harder tip. This tip is often made of rubber or plastic, which helps achieve a sharp and piercing tone. Marimba mallets, on the other hand, have tips covered in yarn or cord to produce a softer tone when striking the instrument. The specific shape of the keys also contributes to the brightness or softness of the tone.

Both the marimba and the xylophone can be played with two or four mallets. Using four allows for polyphony of up to four notes or for producing special effects. For instance, a type of vibrato can be created with a specific technique and grip.

The Resonators

The resonators used to amplify sound differ in length between the xylophone and the marimba. Resonators are metal tubes that extend from the base of the keys toward the floor. The largest keys on the xylophone have larger resonators, meaning their size decreases with the keys. Both large and small keys on the marimba are equipped with long resonators, creating an arch of visible tubes under the instrument. The smallest resonators on the marimba are comparable in size to the largest on a xylophone.

Xylophones and marimbas are often used in different musical contexts. Xylophones are more common in symphony orchestras and concert bands. Marimbas, however, are occasionally used solo and often found in much smaller musical ensembles. Nonetheless, there are no strict rules mandating the use of one instrument over the other in specific contexts.

Other Considerations

Given the broader range of the marimba, it tends to be larger in size compared to the xylophone.

Marimbas are generally more cumbersome (minimum length around 1.5 meters), while xylophones can be much smaller. This leads to a key-spacing difference: marimba keys are farther apart, while xylophone keys are closer together.

This difference implies two things:

1) A marimba allows the player to see the notes more clearly due to the wider spacing.

2) The closer keys on a xylophone enable a faster playing speed, though the tighter spacing requires greater precision to hit the correct keys.