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.

There are various ways to play the marimba – an instrument similar to the xylophone but with warmer tones and a wider range. The standard approach often involves a player standing upright ...

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.