Marimba-maker Matt Coe. CBS News Likely brought to Europe and the New World through the slave trade, mallet instruments (like the xylophone and marimba) trace their roots to Africa.

What's the story behind the iPhone's default "Marimba" ringtone? This question was originally answered on Quora by Brian Roemmele.

Xylophones are a popular first instrument for kids because they are easy to use, require little dexterity and are often fun, brilliant colors.

Marino, a virtuoso player of the xylophone-like instrument, said that until recently marimba masters kept it hidden from outsiders to preserve its mystical power to drive away evil spirits.

SK Kakraba, a renowned virtuoso on the Ghanaian gyil, a wooden xylophone, will perform with the University of Wyoming Percussion Ensemble Friday, Dec. 2.

The company where we bought the instrument describes it as a " 30-bell xylophone outfit." In classical terms, the xylophone and the glockenspiel both belong to the percussion family.

While often viewed as instruments exclusively for children, xylophones are present in orchestra music, film scores and even some pop and rock bands.