MARIMBAS

 

Marimba's origin is uncertain. Some suppose they were originated in the African continent, others believe that they come from Southeast Asia. Nevertheless it is known that it emigrated towards America in the 16th century, brought by African slaves. Then it was adopted by Mexico and Guatemala people, becoming an essential instrument in these countries' folk music. Since 1910 it started to be built and executed in the orchestal and jazz environment, evolving constantly until present. The contemporany marimba, consists in a series of suspended wood bars which when being strucke by mallets produce a special kind of sounds, also the sound of these bars is amplified by tubes of resonance properly regulated. Each bar also is meticulous tuned in its fundamental sound and its overtones, in order to obtain the characteristic timbre of marimbas.