vibraphone
2 synonyms for vibraphone, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A percussion instrument with two rows of tuned metal bars, each set over a resonating tube containing a motor-driven rotating vane that produces a vibrato effect.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
vibes
vibraharp
How to use vibraphone
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
play the vibraphone
vibraphone solo
vibraphone player
vibraphone mallets
The term is used mainly in music contexts, especially jazz.
Etymology
The name joins a shortened form of vibrato, describing the wavering effect the instrument produces, with the combining form -phone, relating to sound.
Full origin of vibraphone →Frequently asked questions
What is a vibraphone?
It is a percussion instrument with tuned metal bars and motor-driven resonators that give its notes a wavering, vibrato-like sound.
How is a vibraphone different from a xylophone?
A vibraphone has metal bars set over tubular resonators with motor-driven rotating vanes, which give it a sustained, shimmering vibrato. A xylophone lacks those spinning vanes, so its notes ring out plainly, without any wavering.
Why is it called a vibraphone?
Its name reflects the vibrato effect produced by the motor-driven vanes turning inside its resonating tubes.
