Vibraphone

Вібрафон

Audio: Vibraphone

The vibraphone is a percussion instrument with metal bars and a motor that rotates resonator discs, producing a signature “vibrato.” The legendary timbre of 1940s–60s jazz.

The vibraphone was invented in the USA in 1921. Its distinctive feature is an electric motor that rotates metal discs inside the resonator tubes beneath the bars. This rotation produces the characteristic “trembling” vibration of the tone — from a gentle pulse to a quick vibrato.

In jazz the vibraphone was made famous by Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, and Gary Burton. Its dreamy, transparent sound makes the vibraphone ideal for ballads, cool jazz, and modal jazz. In the classical world it has been scored by Alban Berg, Britten, and many contemporary composers. The motor can be turned off — and then the vibraphone sounds like a large, ringing bell without the “airy” modulation.

Cultural Versus

Vibraphone

Sub-category:: percussion

The vibraphone is a percussion instrument with metal bars and a motor that rotates resonator discs, producing a signature “vibrato.” The legendary timbre of 1940s–60s jazz.

50%similarity

Basolia

Sub-category:: strings

The basolia is a Ukrainian folk bowed string instrument of the bass register, similar in form and size to the cello. Held between the knees, it has 3–4 strings and provides the low bass voice in troïsta music.