The culture of music in Africa is a fascinating subject, filled with rhythms rooted in religious traditions and mystical sounds created by a variety of instruments. Depending on the region, you can encounter an array of unique tools, all handcrafted with remarkable skill and a deep passion for music. These instruments may appear primitive at first glance, but they are capable of producing unique and evocative melodies.

Below, we’ll focus on the marimba, exploring its history and highlighting some of its technical features.

What is the Marimba, and What Are Its Origins?

The marimba is an idiophone percussion instrument, consisting of a series of wooden bars aligned horizontally, beneath which resonators are placed—traditionally dried, hollowed-out gourds or large bamboo tubes. Its origins are African (though some argue it is a simplified and primitive version of an Asian instrument). It later spread to Central and South America, brought by enslaved Africans, and became a key part of folk music. Over time, it gained popularity in the United States and Europe during the 16th century, finding a place in jazz and light music. Innovations over the centuries led to the creation of the xylomarimba, featuring metal resonators and a range of up to 5 octaves, making it a versatile addition to orchestras and a fit for various music genres.

The marimba’s characteristics vary across regions: while it is almost unknown north of the Sahara due to the lack of wood—a key material for its construction—more elaborate and refined versions are found in southern Africa. Over time, the instrument has evolved significantly. Traditional prototypes were reimagined in the 19th century to create a xylophone-like instrument with a wooden keyboard and no resonators. Later, the keyboard was expanded to 67 bars, with a second row of keys added for altered notes. In the early 20th century, resonators were reintroduced, leading to the development of the nabimba, the American version of the marimba. Concerts featuring the nabimba began to showcase the instrument’s potential, culminating in a 15-marimba ensemble in 1930. One of the highlights of its evolution was the creation of the International Marimba Symphony Orchestra in 1935, featuring 100 finely tuned instruments played with specialized mallets. Over time, industrial production made the marimba more accessible, allowing it to be used in modern music, including compositions written specifically for it.

Technical Characteristics of the Marimba

The marimba is a percussion instrument, and its defining feature lies in the vibration of its wooden bars. These bars must be made of a material with the right degree of elasticity to ensure a clear tone.

The durability of the material is also critical to withstand repeated use. Various woods have been tried over time, from Brazilian rosewood (lacking in durability) to Central American hormigo and Honduran rosewood, which proved more durable and visually appealing. Today, many manufacturers use synthetic woods specifically designed to produce optimal sound. Bars are typically between 4 and 6 cm wide and 19 to 45 cm long.

Their shape also plays a crucial role in sound production. The underside is carved into a slight arch, enhancing the clarity of low tones: the deeper the arch, the lower the pitch.

Temperature also impacts the tone. The ideal temperature for the best performance is around 21 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures lower the pitch of the bars, disrupting the balance with the resonator tubes and reducing tonal resonance. Conversely, colder temperatures raise the pitch. To address this issue, modern marimbas include adjustable resonator attachments on the instrument’s left side, allowing for precise tuning adjustments.

While the marimba was once a handcrafted masterpiece, it is now mass-produced, making it more portable with features like easily disassembled and reassembled frames. The keyboard bars, arranged in two rows, are linked by a soft string that passes horizontally through holes. Below the bars are metal resonator tubes that amplify the sound. Commercially available marimbas vary in size, with the most common models covering 4 octaves. Others extend to 4.5 or even 5 octaves, resembling the xylomarimba. Some models offer extended lower registers and are known as Bass Marimbas.

The Sound of the Marimba

The marimba is suitable for various contexts thanks to its harmonious, warm, and soothing sound, particularly when played with soft mallets. These mallets, essential for playing the marimba, come in various consistencies, covered in cord, yarn, or rubber. Rubber mallets or those with felt coverings are ideal for louder dynamics and rhythmic pieces requiring fullness and volume.

Different sounds can also be achieved by striking different parts of the bars. The center produces the most resonant tone, but depending on the desired effect, other areas can be targeted: for quick passages, hitting the edge near the corner yields a fuller sound.

The marimba is an excellent accompaniment instrument in orchestras, blending seamlessly with other instruments, especially woodwinds and brass. However, its delicate and subtle sound may be overshadowed in pieces with dense instrumentation, making it best suited for solo performances or lightly orchestrated compositions.