For children, there are two types of xylophones. One is a toy, while the other is a real musical instrument that can be used as a solo instrument or as part of an ensemble in practice and performance. Children’s xylophones may appear to be toys and are brightly colored, but they actually function as instruments. The difference is in the tuning of the bars and the xylophone’s overall quality.
Toy and real xylophone bars for children can be made of wood or metal. A small metal xylophone is technically a glockenspiel, also known as bells, but the term xylophone is sometimes used. Painting, staining, or simply polishing the bars are all options. The timbre, or tone, of a real xylophone is affected by the material of the bars. Metal xylophones typically produce a sharper, brighter sound than wooden xylophones.
Toy xylophones are typically significantly less expensive than real xylophones. The quality is also lower, particularly when it comes to tuning the instrument. Because most toy xylophones lack a resonance chamber, the sound will be thin and hollow. Real xylophones are designed to produce a full, rich sound, which is sometimes enhanced by the addition of a box-style resonance chamber. When played correctly, the sound can easily carry an ensemble.
A toy xylophone is usually a single octave and inaccurately tuned because it is designed for casual play. The instrument’s housing is usually made of plastic or wood, with metal bars. One or two plastic or wooden mallets are usually included with children’s toy xylophones. The bars will not play precise intervals or a clear scale when played. Toy xylophones are not meant to be played solo or in an ensemble.
Authentic xylophones are real, working instruments that are tuned properly and made of higher-quality wood and metal. They can range from one to three octaves in range. Kids’ xylophones are simply miniature versions of real xylophones. However, some musical programs, such as the Orff method, use both wooden and metal xylophones as part of their curriculum.
Orff instruments are designed for children aged three to six. They can also be used by older children, especially if the instruments are elevated on a stand. The proper technique for playing with one or more mallets is taught to children. The emphasis in the lessons is on learning to play the instrument first and then learning theoretical facts later. The songs played during the lessons become more difficult as the children progress, challenging the players’ technical abilities.