According to oral history, the story of the marimba began a long, long time ago in Africa, where holes were dug in the ground, wooden bars were made to cross over this hole, and the bars were struck to produce sound.
Contents
- 1 Who invented the marimba?
- 2 When and where was the marimba invented?
- 3 Is marimba an African instrument?
- 4 Why was the marimba created?
- 5 Are marimba and xylophone the same?
- 6 Where is the mbira instrument from?
- 7 What does marimba mean in Spanish?
- 8 Where did the local marimba originate from in Zimbabwe?
- 9 Why is the marimba important?
- 10 What are two genres of music that come from Guatemala?
- 11 What are Jamaican drums called?
- 12 What genre of music is marimba?
- 13 What is the marimba made of?
- 14 Is marimba a dance?
- 15 Is Guatemala a marimba?
Who invented the marimba?
It was discovered that in the 16th and 17th centuries, similar instruments were used in Canada and in Central America as well. The first modern marimba was created by Mexican musician called Manuel Bolan Cruz in 1850.
When and where was the marimba invented?
The origin of the marimba is uncertain; some believe that it had originated in Southeast Asia in the 14th Century, and others that it came from Africa. The instrument was brought to South America in the early 16th Century by either African slaves or by pre-Columbian African contact.
Is marimba an African instrument?
Marimba is one of many African names for the xylophone, and, because African instruments bearing this name frequently have a tuned calabash resonator for each wooden bar, some ethnomusicologists use the name marimba to distinguish gourd-resonated from other xylophones.
Why was the marimba created?
The marimbas were first used for light music and dance, such as vaudeville theater and comedy shows. Clair Omar Musser was a chief proponent of marimba in the United States at the time. French composer Darius Milhaud introduced marimbas into Western classical music with his 1947 Concerto for Marimba and Vibraphone.
Are marimba and xylophone the same?
Both the marimba and the narrowly defined xylophone are xylophone instruments, and they look virtually identical. The central portions of these bars on a marimba are considerably hollowed out, while those of a xylophone are wavy.
Where is the mbira instrument from?
The Mbira or African thumb piano (other identifying names include: kalimba – contemporary term; the most popular term is either sansa, or mbira) is a percussive instrument originating from Africa. The instrument, also used in Cuban music, is generally held with both hands and played with the thumbs.
What does marimba mean in Spanish?
Español. marimba n. ( wooden percussion instrument )
Where did the local marimba originate from in Zimbabwe?
But the Zimbabwean marimba, widespread in urban schools and tourist venues, dates only from the early 1960s, when African xylophones of a modern design were introduced at the Kwanongoma College of African Music in Bulawayo.
Why is the marimba important?
This large wooden instrument looks like a big xylophone, and it has a special significance for the Mayan community in Guatemala. Music is one of the most important factors when it comes to resistance, in particular the marimba. To this day, the marimba is used in celebrations and ceremonies across the country.
What are two genres of music that come from Guatemala?
Music of Guatemala
- Merengue.
- Marimba music.
- Garifuna music.
- Punta.
- Folk music.
- Hip Hop.
- Reggaeton.
- Rock.
What are Jamaican drums called?
What are Jamaican Steel Drums? Also known as steel pans, Jamaican steel drums are percussion instruments that follow a chromatic pitch ranging from G1 toF6. The musician who plays it is called a pannist, and a group of pannists is referred to as a steel band.
What genre of music is marimba?
Classical music is the most common genre in which the marimba is used, and it is frequently featured in instrumental songs. The marimba is typically used in smaller ensembles, making it a good fit for jazz. The marimba can be used rock and pop artists, but it is usually used sparingly.
What is the marimba made of?
A marimba is a wooden musical instrument that has a number of bars with different lengths that correspond to a different pitch with a different frequency spectrum. The instrument is commercially made from rosewood because the wood is a dense hardwood, although it is very expensive and difficult to cut (Suits 2001).
Is marimba a dance?
Marimba music and traditional chants and dances are musical expressions integral to the family and community fabric of people of African descent in the Colombian South Pacific region and Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador.
Is Guatemala a marimba?
Regardless of its the origins, the marimba is no less a part of Guatemalan culture and identity 2. The earliest records reveal that the marimba has been played by the Maya in Mesoamerica since 16803. It was used for ceremonial dancing, religious and social celebration, and usually played by men4.
