The vibraphone, xylophone and marimba each consist of tuned bars and resonators. The resonators are cut into shape of a arch-like row to enhance the tone of the instrument.

Vibraphone has aluminium bars which have longer sustain compared to xylophone or marimba. The vibraphone has an exclusive feature not found in other mallet instruments in form of plates controlled by motor, which open or close the resonators, thus producing the tremolo effect.

Many contemporary models have microphones instead of resonators. The bars may be muted with in-built felt muting mechanism. Vibraphone is played with two or four (or even six) mallets made of wood, plastic or rubber. The bars may even be played with string bow.

Listen to the audio samples:

Melody (518 KB)
Melody motor (510 KB)
With a bow (201 KB)
With a bow and a motor (109 KB)