CCBANTA
The Romance of Instrument Design and Bar Percussion Specialties

Respect...Respect...Respect... 

 

Organic wooden bar percussion instruments have mechanical and acoustic limitations that must be respected in order for long-term serviceability to be possible.

 

Over the years, I have received numerous wooden xylophones and marimbas with their bars battered so much that it was possible to get a splinter if you weren't careful when touching them.  Many times, xylophones suffer from the endless glissando scenario, which is the rapid dragging of a hard mallets across the bars over and over.  Every time the corner edge of the bar is hit with the mallet, a micro-section of the grain fiber is weakened or damaged.  Depending on the degree of force and number of successive glissandos, the fibers start to separate from the rest of the grain.  Damaged areas can become quite unsightly.

 

Why Bars Flatten in Pitch and Crack:

 

Use of Wrong Mallets - Metal, plastic, or wood mallets used on wooden marimba or xylophone bars are too hard for the bar's material.  They can exert pin-point stresses that are too aggressive for the bar's structure.  Hard mallets are reserved for metal bar percussion.  Hard rubber mallets may be used on wooden xylophone surfaces providing the striking force is very reserved.  Soft to Medium-level yarn-wound mallets are best for marimbas. with wooden bars.  Hard rubber (and perhaps some plastics) should be avoided on wooden xylophones.  Never use metal on wooden bar instruments.

 

Excessive Playing Force - Players should never give into the temptation of beating the instrument simply to sound louder.  If the instrument isn't loud enough within the ensemble, it should be amplified using a spread of microphones across the length of the instrument and mixed for balance.

 

Careless Handling of the Instrument - The configuration of the marimba and xylophone causes their bars to extend beyond the confines and protection of the instrument's frame.  This exposure makes the instrument prone to damage from accidental bumping of the bars into door jambs or other fixed objects.  Bars can potentially break or become misaligned due to bending of the support pegs on the bar support rails.  Keep the bars clear of doorways and all objects when moving and transporting these instruments.

 

Exposure to Hostile Elements - Even protected wooden bars are influenced by the environment, especially with prolonged exposure which can severely degrade the quality of the instrument.  Avoid direct sunlight, moisture, and wide swings in temperature.  Protective, soft-padded covers are always advised.