Vibraphone

The vibraphone, also known as vibraharp or vibes is an instrument constructed in the United States in 1922 that has metallic bars arranged over metal resonators. A damper pedal allows for notes to be sustained and subsequently muted. The instrument also contains a motorized propeller which has the ability to affect the amount of vibrato that can be implemented.

Etymology and Alternative Spellings

Fr: le vibraphone; Ger: das Vibraphon; It: il vibrafono

Construction

Bars

The standard width of the bars on a professional model vibraphone are graduated from 2 inches to 1 1/2 inches. Traditionally, bars are made from a tempered aluminum alloy^[1]. There are numerous finishes available for the bars: natural polished aluminum, clear anodized, gold anodized, and brass plate and lacquer^[2].

Resonators

Damper Mechanism

Motor

Frame

History

Sticks, Mallets, Beaters

Technique

Grips

Two Mallet Technique

Four Mallet Technique

Extended Techniques

Pitch Bending
Bowing
Harmonics

Stroke Style/Type

Manufacturers

Retailers

References

↑ “Beck, John, and John H. Beck, eds. 2007. Encyclopedia of percussion. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.”
↑ “Beck, John, and John H. Beck, eds. 2007. Encyclopedia of percussion. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.”

[1] “Beck, John, and John H. Beck, eds. 2007. Encyclopedia of percussion. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.”

[2] “Beck, John, and John H. Beck, eds. 2007. Encyclopedia of percussion. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.”

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