Marimba Quebec, Canada Marimba Sugar maple, violet wood, Honduras rosewood, aluminum, steel, rubber, nylon 62 x 24 x 10 cm Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canada

The marimba is an instrument that resembles a xylophone and an organ. It is played with two sticks, just like the xylophone, and like the organ, it has iron pipes, albeit much smaller ones.

This instrument was invented in Africa. It is made from the oldest trees because it was discovered that they give the marimba the best sound and better resonance. The marimba can be constructed with as many wooden planks and pipes as desired. The maximum number is usually six-and-a-half octaves and the smallest marimbas are often less than five octaves.

The marimba is played in groups and is very difficult to play and tune with other players.