The vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp, is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It is similar to the xylophone; the vibraphone uses metal bars instead of the wooden bars on the xylophone. Below each bar is a resonating tube with small metal disc located at the top; the discs in each tube are connected via a rod which can be made to rotate with a motor. When the motor is on and a note is struck, the notes acquire a tremolo sound. The player can vary the speed of the tremolo. With the motor off, the vibraphone has a mellow, bell-like sound.
Some famous vibraphonists:
- Roy Ayers
- Karl Berger
- Jeff Berman
- Gary Burton
- Terry Gibbs
- Lionel Hampton
- Stefon Harris
- Bobby Hutcherson
- Milt Jackson
- Mike Manieri
- Steve Nelson
- Red Norvo
- Dave Samuels
- Cal Tjader
- Gust Tsilis