Vibraphone

The bars on this instrument were made of steel many years ago, but are now commonly made from aluminum. The range is typically 3 octaves and sounds as written. The use of pedaling and dampening is unique to this instrument as is the motor which provides the vibrato effect. Acceptable mallets are almost exclusively yarn wrapped with flexible rattan handles for a good tone quality. Although historically the vibraphone is a jazz-centered instrument, it now has a vast repertoire within the contemporary percussion idiom. The most common grip used on the vibraphone is Burton grip, a technique created by vibraphonist, Gary Burton.