Which category describes instruments like the xylophone and marimba?

Which category describes instruments like the xylophone and marimba?

• A. Membranophones
• B. Chordophones
• C. Aerophones
• D. Percussion Idiophones

Answer: (D)

When the instrument itself vibrates to produce sound, that’s an idiophone. The xylophone and marimba are made of wooden bars that vibrate directly when struck, giving them their pitches. That direct vibration without membranes, strings, or air columns places them in percussion idiophones. Membranophones use a stretched membrane (like drums), chordophones use strings, and aerophones rely on vibrating air. So these wood-bar instruments are best described as percussion idiophones.

When the instrument itself vibrates to produce sound, that’s an idiophone. The xylophone and marimba are made of wooden bars that vibrate directly when struck, giving them their pitches. That direct vibration without membranes, strings, or air columns places them in percussion idiophones. Membranophones use a stretched membrane (like drums), chordophones use strings, and aerophones rely on vibrating air. So these wood-bar instruments are best described as percussion idiophones.