Editing Vibraphone (section)

==Characteristics==
=== Range ===
The standard modern instrument has a range of 3 [[octave]]s, starting from the F below [[middle C]] (F{{sub|3}} to F{{sub|6}} in [[scientific pitch notation]]). Larger {{frac|3|1|2}} or 4 octave models from the C below middle C are also becoming more common (C{{sub|3}} to F{{sub|6}} or C{{sub|7}}). Unlike its cousin, the [[glockenspiel]], the vibraphone is generally a non-[[transposing instrument]], written at [[concert pitch]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=R. J. |title=Contemporary Orchestration: A Practical Guide to Instruments, Ensembles, and Musicians |publisher=Routledge |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-317-80625-7 |location=New York, NY |page=266 |oclc=900827870}}</ref>

===Mallets===
{{Main|Percussion mallet}}
[[File:Vibraphone overhead with mallets.jpg|thumb|An overhead view of a 3 octave vibraphone with different mallets of varying hardness.|288x288px]]
Vibraphone mallets usually consist of a rubber ball core wrapped in yarn or cord and attached to a narrow dowel, most commonly made of rattan or birch and sometimes of fiberglass or nylon. Mallets suitable for the vibraphone are also generally suitable for the marimba.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Ben |date=July 2012 |title=What You Need to Know About…Mallets |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2015/02/need-know-mallets-percussion/ |website=[[Modern Drummer]]}}</ref>

The mallets can have a great effect on the [[timbre]], ranging from a bright metallic clang to a mellow ring with no obvious initial attack. Consequently, a wide array of mallets is available, offering variations in hardness, head size, weight, shaft length and flexibility.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Colwell |first=Richard |title=The Teaching of Instrumental Music |publisher=Routledge |others=Michael Hewitt, Mark Fonder |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-317-21273-7 |edition=5th |location=New York, NY |pages=365 |oclc=1007082083}}</ref>

Classical players must carry a wide range of mallet types to accommodate the changing demands of composers who are looking for particular sounds. Jazz players, on the other hand, often make use of multi-purpose mallets to allow for improvisation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=James |date=2001 |title=Mallet Selection |url=http://www.malletjazz.com/lessons/mallets.html |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=MalletJazz}}</ref>