When did marimba come to America?
The instrument was brought to South America in the early 16th Century by either African slaves or by pre-Columbian African contact.
Where is marimba originally from?
Africa
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.
How was the marimba taken to Latin America?
The xylophone was taken to Latin America by African slaves (or possibly originated through pre-Hispanic contact). There it became known as the marimba, and it has remained a popular folk instrument in Central America. The wooden bars are affixed to a frame supported by legs or hung at the player’s waist.
Is the marimba from Mexico?
Marimbas are wooden percussion instruments similar to xylophones. Although African in origin, many of its modern modifications have their roots in Mexico. The instrument made its way to Mexico from enslaved Africans.
What is marimba 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.
Why is the marimba important?
It is beloved by Guatemalans, especially the ones who are of Maya heritage. Named Guatemala’s national instrument in 19781, the marimba has not only brought joy to its people but also played a large role in helping to shape indigenous identity.
Why was the marimba invented?
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.
What is the marimba used for?
The marimba is a type of idiophone. Today, the marimba is used as a solo instrument, or in ensembles like orchestras, marching bands (typically as a part of the front ensemble), percussion ensembles, brass and concert bands, and other traditional ensembles.
What is the history of marimba?
The first historical account in Central America is from 1550 where African slaves in Guatemala are reported playing it. By 1680 accounts of Maya musicians using marimbas with gourd resonator were made in Guatemala. It became more widespread during the 18th and 19th centuries, as Maya and Ladino ensembles started using it on festivals.
Where are traditional marimba bands most popular?
Traditional marimba bands are especially popular in Guatemala where they are the national symbol of culture, but are also strongly established in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca. They are also very popular in other Central American nations like Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica,…
Is the marimba a transposing instrument?
The marimba is a non-transposing instrument with no octave displacement, unlike the xylophone which sounds one octave higher than written and the glockenspiel which sounds two octaves higher than written. Part of the key to the marimba’s rich sound is its resonators.