A xylophone can be made out of a variety of common materials that you may already have on hand or that you can easily find at a hardware store. The keys on a basic xylophone are different lengths. They’re mounted on a base that could help to amplify the sounds produced by the keys. You’ll also need a mallet or small hammer to strike the keys on your xylophone. To make a xylophone, you’ll need to choose the materials for the keys, the base, and the mallet, as well as cut each piece to the proper size and construct the xylophone so that it produces the sounds you want.
For the keys on a xylophone, you can use hollow or solid objects. Small metal pipes, such as those used for electrical wiring, or plastic plumbing pipes, for example, could be used. They could also be solid metal plates or wooden blocks.
The length of time it takes to make xylophone keys is determined by the type of material used and your personal preference. If the keys are hollow, leave them longer than you think you’ll like in the end, then trim the pipes after they’ve been attached to the base. You can change the length of the keys to change how they sound when struck, so trim them until they produce the correct notes. Trimming or sanding away portions of the underside of solid keys will change the notes they produce.
Depending on the material used to make the keys and the base, you can attach them to the xylophone in a variety of ways. To hold the xylophone keys in place, you can wrap string around the base and the keys, drive screws or bolts through the keys and into the base, or glue the keys to the base. When making a xylophone, you’ll notice that how the keys are attached to the base has an impact on how the keys sound.
The type of material used to construct a xylophone’s base has an impact on the instrument’s sound. Hard materials, like wood or metal, allow the sound from the keys to resonate, while softer materials, like a towel, muffle the noise to some extent. A softer material, on the other hand, might allow you to roll up the xylophone and transport it more easily.
The base of your xylophone must be large enough to accommodate all of the keys without them touching. They will be able to vibrate independently as a result of this. The sound of the xylophone is also affected by cutting the base so that the xylophone’s keys hang off the edge, including the shortest keys.
You can use a pre-made mallet or hammer for your xylophone’s mallet or hammer, such as those sold at hardware stores, or you can make your own. Fill a small balloon halfway with sand to make a xylophone mallet. Wrap a rubber band around the open end of the balloon and twist it closed. Attach the open end of the balloon to a wood dowel. Instead of using a mallet, you can strike the xylophone’s keys with everyday objects like sticks or pencils.