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

See also: Xylophone, Marimba, Glockenspiel