As an educational toy as well as a musical instrument in its own right, the xylophone – or metallophone in its metallic version – is often ideal for introducing young children to the discovery of sounds and colors.
Popular and pleasing to the ear, it is an excellent option for getting started in music. To help you choose the right one, here is a small selection of the best xylophones on the market.
Professional Xylophone with chromatic key
Far from being a toy for children, this wooden Glockenspiel soprano xylophone is above all a professional instrument of extreme quality and an ideal educational option to help young people discover the learning of music. Its removable metal keys, distributed in two rows, produce soft and crystal-clear sounds from G 2 to A 4.
Delivered with a nice storage bag, this xylophone is very light and easy to carry everywhere with you. Difficult not to fall under its charm, especially since the whole, with its wooden frame and its keys painted in white and black, is particularly pleasant to the sight.
Xylophone 25 notes with case
Pleasant and colorful, this xylophone Angel Glockenspiel is the ideal model to introduce young children to sounds and harmonies. Its blue plastic case, if it is far from being discreet, has at least the merit to protect the instrument from possible blows and/or scratches, while facilitating its portability.
This xylophone model, digitally tuned to 5/100ths of a semitone, emits clear and crystalline sounds, over 2 octaves. The 25 blades are made of high quality, solid and robust steel. For the first years of musical learning, it is absolutely perfect. With its unbeatable price-quality ratio, it is difficult to find the slightest defect in it.
Colorful baby and child xylophone
With its eight colored and brilliant blades, the xylophone MVPPOWER is above all a toy for children of first category. Attractive and safe, it consists of a very elegant pine wood frame, topped with blades painted in cheerful and attractive tones; entirely designed for young children, it does not contain any harmful substances – such as BPA, lead or phthalate.
This xylophone is a good way to develop the creativity and musical ear of the little ones. The size of this model is particularly suitable for younger children. As for the sound, it is quite acceptable for a xylophone of this category.
Chromatic xylophone for children
Carefully nestled in its plastic case – a real trademark at Glockenspiel -, the Classic Cantabile xylophone is nothing less than the improved version of a children’s toy.
Colorful, childlike, it offers two rows of blades, including sharps, to play all kinds of melodies clearly and precisely; the sounds produced by this xylophone are moreover quite accurate. Its yellow plastic case is ideal for transport and storage. Although it is not devoid of qualities – portability, accuracy, attractiveness – it remains above all a toy for children, and not a real musical instrument.
What is a xylophone?
Popular and attractive, the xylophone – or metallophone for its metal version – made its appearance around the 9th century in the countries of Southeast Asia. It is only in the 16th century that it arrived in Europe. It belongs to the family of percussion instruments. The xylophone consists of one or two rows of wooden or metal blades, arranged in the manner of a piano, which, when struck with hard-headed sticks, represent different notes and sounds.
The largest models can play up to 48 distinct notes. With its powerful, colorful and crystalline sounds, the xylophone is an important component of most symphony orchestras.
How to choose your xylophone?
If you want to start learning the xylophone, make sure you take several criteria into account when choosing your instrument.
- the quality of the slides: this is an important criterion, as the quality of the slides has a direct influence on the quality of the sounds produced by the xylophone. First of all, favour modern versions composed of two rows of notes, with the sharps and flats in a raised position. Walnut or softwoods are the preferred materials. Also note that wooden blades generate notes of shorter duration than metal blades, which produce more vibrations.
- the type of stick: the material and shape of the stick are decisive for the quality of the sound. Wood is a sure value; although it is more expensive than the other most used materials, it nevertheless produces a fair, clear and powerful sound. Rubber, on the other hand, produces a softer note. Finally, plastic and synthetic materials, if they do not offer the same sound quality, at least have the advantage of being economical.