Melodic percussion instruments, or barred instruments like xylophones, glockenspiels, and metallophones are the quintessential set of instruments used in many elementary music settings. They are valuable when accompanying singers, but are even more so when students are composing and improvising.
However, integrating barred instruments into your classroom represents a significant financial investment!
If you’re just starting, put yourself on a five-year plan, realizing you don’t need everything ALL at once. When the time comes to purchase, reach out to me! I would love to help talk you through this. Consider the following:
Class Size:
- More can be better, but to begin, you will want one barred instrument for at least half of your largest class. I am a BIG believer in students sharing an instrument because learning takes on two distinct perspectives, one as the “doer” and the other as the observer.
Material Selection Based on Climate:
- If you cannot guarantee that the instruments won’t be exposed to extreme temperatures (such as getting baked during the summer or freezing in the winter), or if you live in a very humid region, consider xylophones with fiberglass composite bars over rosewood.
- If you live in a somewhat temperate climate and can afford xylophones made from rosewood know it is durable and has a beautiful, rich sound.
Storage: Shelving, stands/tables, or stacking are some ways you can store your instruments. Consider the size of your room and what your storage options are.
- If you don’t have adequate space, consider these “shorties” by Studio 49 which are easily stackable. Because of the tropical heat, I used these when I taught in Guangzhou, China. The grillodur bars sounded pretty good and they were easy to stack which accommodated my lack of storage.
- Over the years, students have mentioned that they find it easier to play glockenspiel if the instrument is raised up. These tables fit the need and I have been able to seat 2 students, on glockenspiels, per table.
- If you don’t have the space for these tables, consider those mini, stackable laundry baskets that you can find at a discount store.
How many do I need?
- Balancing woods to metals is really important. You’ll want more xylophones to metal-barred instruments. For example, let’s think of a class of 25 students and consider the following combination of barred instruments:
F, G, C bass bars (I would purchase bass bars one at a time, in this order)
I know this doesn’t add up to 25, but this is a solid addition to your overall instrumentarium. Also, keep in mind you probably will be adding other unpitched percussion, recorders, or drums that can complement any barred instrument ensemble.
Teacher Talk:
- Buy the best quality instruments you can afford because they will last!
- At first, don’t worry about the chromatic add-ons….every barred instrument comes with a Bb and F# which will do the job.
- Depending on what brand name instruments you purchase, also pick up a bag of pins/nails and cording to match. You should be able to do most repairs yourself, and we can talk about more complicated repairs in another post!
- Get extra mallets. Most barred instruments come with mallets, but they’re not always the most desirable AND you’ll need extras for that moment in the concert when ONE mallet is rolled away and is missing from a glockenspiel, right?, LOL!
Speaking of mallets…..let’s talk about mallets next!