noun

marimba

muh-RIM-buh/məˈrɪmbə/

A percussion instrument with wooden bars struck by mallets.

The marimba has graduated wooden bars above prominent resonator tubes.

An isolated modern concert marimba with graduated wooden bars, prominent resonator tubes beneath, and two yarn-headed mallets resting across the bars.

Etymology

The instrument’s name comes from an African language, probably one of the Bantu group. Comparable words in Kimbundu and Swahili name a xylophone-like instrument, matching its wooden bars struck with mallets.

In context

OrchestrationOnline6:01

bars at risk of cracking a perennial concern for the mallet specialist for a hard direct sound that can compete in any texture the proper instrument is xylophone rather than marimba

Orchestration Tip: How (not) to Destroy the Percussion Section

More examples

The marimba's wooden bars vary in length and pitch.
He practices the marimba with two mallets in each hand.
Two marimbas stand at the back of the stage.

Forms

marimba · marimbas

Similar words

xylophone: Has wooden bars but typically sounds brighter and higher.
vibraphone: Has metal bars rather than wood, producing a ringing tone.