Playing a big bass marimba

Made by Eric Orem, www.padaukdust.com
I built this instrument (#79) for Lafayette College in PA. Its range is C2-E3, has 6" wide cherry keys that are 1.5" thick, and all the components break down for storage/transport. One can fully assemble/disassemble the instrument in a couple minutes.
The buzzing is not distortion, it is created by buzzers in the bottom of each tube, typical of these African style instruments.
Normally a player stand would be used. The instrument stands over 50" tall, 6 feet long and over 3 feet at its widest.
I couldn't seem to decide on a melody, my bad! ;)

[@jaredsquirrels5242]

Amazing, doesn't sound at all how I imagined. The sound almost reminds me of a deep reed instrument, like a bass clarinet.

[@kenshiromilesvt.7037]

Prob has some sort of membrane to vibrate, maybe cellophane or paper.

[@Expired_Twinkie23]

without the resonator tubes sounds much more like a deeper marimba

[@averyrobinson4666]

Just because you can, definitely means you should

[@instrumentalheadquarters7062]

100%

[@neithermovingnorstil]

Wow. Thanks for making this vid, what an instrument! It's almost like a superbass wind instrument, there's so much air vibration going on. The biggest bar has got a lot of boom, it's sort of surreal, like a tugboat horn or something. I can imagine an even bigger marimba, where that bar is the smallest bar, it would sound like an elephant.

[@woodsmith_1]

When I build a sub-bass marimba, I'll make sure you're the first to know. :) Thanks for your thoughts, and for watching!

[@dixgun]

amazing sound ... or sounds, rather. in a way one of its qualities is that of a synth tuba.

[@Climate-ss9gv]

This is actually really cool, thanks for sharing this! The buzzing notes sound really interesting, not what I was expecting at all.

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Sounds very good but I do hear a slight vibration.

[@woodsmith_1]

Thank you! There's a 1" dia. hole in each resonator cap, sealed over with cellophane - produces an intentional sound effect, which isn't agreeable to everyone's ear. This can be eliminated by putting some tape over the plastic membrane, or by not installing them in the first place.

[@nickdelancey1929]

mbiraguy how clear is the pitch without the membrane?

[@woodsmith_1]

The tone produced without the buzzers is very clear - like a 'concert' instrument but more powerful, as this instrument moves much more air.

[@4marimbas968]

@@woodsmith_1 you mean that if I create a 3 octaves marimba with 3" keys I will have more volume that 2" keys ???? I need a very LOUD marimba to play rock and roll and funk with a drumset. I only use 2 mallets. What do you think I do ???? I thinking about 3" keys and aluminium resonators with one side open. Like a xylorimba. Thanks for your information.

[@azersamaali2016]

I have spent months studying making marimbas and found a fantastic resource at Delfords magic plan (google it if you are interested)

[@witheringzithering]

love the raspiness of it!

[@organist1982]

Amazing! I know this is already very large, but I would LOVE to hear a contrabass version of this that goes an octave lower to the bottom C of the piano, or even just partway down into that octave! Of course, the resonators would be enormous, as the longest resonator for C1 would need about 8' of speaking length.

[@woodsmith_1]

Yeah! It would be fun to build one of those. Haven't had the opportunity yet. However, I have a little bit of hastily-taken footage capturing a bass I built a few years ago which went down to A1. I'll try to edit it and post here pretty soon.

[@organist1982]

@@woodsmith_1 That's awesome; can't wait to see/hear!

[@ishansharma4112]

I definitely did not expect it to sound like a run over bari sax lol

[@shiniegoldie8821]

oh, oh i wish i could buy one of these

[@tA_aT287]

This is hilarious and awesome in the same package!!

[@leatherhead06]

Listen to the overtone (or... I guess the undertone) which is the low note.

[@leedlelee_9999]

Omg sooo cool i love this

[@andsalomoni]

Wonderful.

[@alexmwesa]

lovely marimba design, great playing too.

[@xenofyrecords9487]

Is the vibration/humming the main tone or is it the actual wood noise? I can't decide

[@woodsmith_1]

I'm not entirely sure how you mean, but the resonators each have a buzzing membrane installed on the end cap. By disabling the membrane, or by removing the tube, we will hear a more pure tone.

[@geminirhythmspirit2573]

Wow I was expecting heeps of bottom end, but it didn't matter I was really fascinated 🤔

[@woodsmith_1]

Hello Tito, thanks for the kind words. I can help you with determining dimensions of marimba bars. Email me at my website eric@padaukdust(dot)com. Lengths will depend largely upon wood type and thickness.

[@BaterozDrumfest]

Hello Eric. Thanks and I send you and e-mail. I try to create a marimba to play with my students on drums. Regards, Tito.

[@ZvondaiMuchenje]

Hi Eric, Love your bass marimba too.

[@iracoffin10]

+mbiraguy what king of mallets are you using?

[@dianeericson7900]

+Ira Coffin It looks like he's using rubber balls glued onto sticks like we do. Our leader makes them with bamboo or regular dowels. That way we also have extras for the audience to use to try out the marimbas when we are finished. We use smaller ones for the baritone.

[@dianeericson7900]

+mbiraguy What a lovely "voice". I do so enjoy a good bass.

[@jordamndough9017]

are u sure it isn't auto tuned? XD

[@sambac2053]

They want money ? @@neshacellanda9065

[@lordzombie]

This is great! Man, such an awesome tone! It sounds like you have a horn section backing you up! What kind of wood did you use for the keys?

[@woodsmith_1]

Hey thanks! It's American cherry.

[@richardschneider9098]

Either my eyes deceive me, or I am actually seeing that low C flex when you hit it. Awesome! That bass sounds as good as any I've heard -- how does the volume compare to 8" keys?

[@woodsmith_1]

Thank you, Richard! Hah, I noticed that when editing the video. Everything else equal, the volume difference between 8" and 6" is noticeable but not extreme. I believe that utilizing the full potential of an 8" note is something that rarely happens through normal playing, and so in most cases the 6" will be right up there with 8" volume-wise. At a full-force strike with big enough a mallet the difference would be more pronounced.

[@epicdude257]

Why does it sound like a xylophone combined with a contrabass clarinet

[@epicdude257]

Also why does this sound like dubstep music

[@rantallion5032]

nice

[@mariangrebanier5566]

sounds so good!

[@N8_MODEL_0001]

Definitely read that title wrong the first time

[@lincolnrowe4552]

Ahh yes, the lowest key plays two note in quick succession, this is definitely real (And marimbas don't sound like read instruments).

[@collingalloway43]

1) AMAZING CHANNEL GREAT IDEA, AND AMAZING WORK! 2) Great job actually replying to all the comments! 3) You should have more subs.

[@jonesjangle9252]

Go get em big boy

[@JohannBrehmer]

You are a genious!!!!

[@woodsmith_1]

no, you!

[@trubr8]

Beautiful work! I am thinking about making something similar. Have you ever made one with removable bars so you could switch out a Bb or F#?

[@woodsmith_1]

Thanks! Cool, I'd encourage you to do so. My basses usually have removable keys. They're often strung in groups of 3 or 4. It would be easy to give individual keys their own bungee lengths, allowing swapping of notes. Ideally you'd want a way to adjust the corresponding resonator. A drop-in plug could work, or pressure - fitting caps with a toggle, or a vertical position adjustment for the tube itself, or you could just swap the entire resonator out...

[@trubr8]

+mbiraguy Thanks Eric! Excellent ideas.

[@Ambipie]

At a certain size, wood HONKS?!

[@woodsmith_1]

honk honk

[@Everclearfan86]

I love that melody :-)

[@jonesjangle9252]

Amazing

[@jonesjangle9252]

This is sick

[@mriagoretnyatito7320]

What song is this l would like to play it on my thumb piano

[@woodsmith_1]

moyo wangu or bukatiende; something like that

[@arzum]

hook it up to a subwoofer

[@samsignorelli]

You kinda HAVE to use bass drum mallets! Well done!

[@woodsmith_1]

+sam signorelli Haha, thanks! Those mallets I made on a lathe from lacrosse balls and oak dowel.

[@samsignorelli]

+mbiraguy Heh....I wanna see you try four of those beasts in a Stevens grip!

[@jonesjangle9252]

Nice work dude

[@johnkennethumoquit2326]

The low tone sound like a giant fart

[@travis5125]

Yeah. When played in the rain, it'd probably sound like a giant shart.

[@BaterozDrumfest]

Hello Eric. Here Tito from Uruguay, South America. I really love the low sound of your bass marimba. The tubes sound nice like a bass horn. I would like to create a marimba range from C3 to C5. Do you know a web site with the bars lenght to help me? Thanks and keep your nice work. Regards, Tito.

[@appo038]

Did you use plastic buzzers?

[@woodsmith_1]

yeah. hole in end cap, caulking around the hole, plastic over the caulking.

[@shiningarmor2838]

Can you build one of Harry Partch's "marimba eroica"?

[@woodsmith_1]

+Shining Armor Oh man. That'd be fun!!! I've got an idea which I intend to make a video for coming up that might satisfy that itch... As soon as I'm done building this batch of instruments.

[@shiningarmor2838]

+mbiraguy what's the word on that video?

[@woodsmith_1]

+Shining Armor Other projects took precedence; I am aiming for this spring.

[@shiningarmor2838]

+mbiraguy Sadly, I've still seen nothing. I hope it's done soon.

[@woodsmith_1]

+mbiraguy lol I just realized this comment is essentially a duplicate of my previous reply. Ultimately, the projects I am usually able to work on are the ones that generate income or otherwise 'need' to be done (pressing issues like house/car repairs, etc). Thus, some of the most interesting projects/ideas may not see the light of day, at least until I can afford more 'leisure project' time.

[@tawandahuni4887]

Thats good bass

[@jonesjangle9252]

Big ups m8

[@munyamhazo8914]

so great.Im getting addicted.how can I have one .

[@woodsmith_1]

Thanks! If you want one made, my site is padaukdust.com If you want to make it yourself, it's entirely possible with determination and tools. I wish you luck!

[@ChiefKeeffiyeh]

But the mic is from the camera. Not a good look

[@4marimbas968]

Do you mean that if I create a 3 octaves marimba with 3" keys I will have more volume that 2" keys ???? I need a very LOUD marimba to play rock and roll and funk with a drumset and two percussionist. I only use 2 mallets. What do you think I do ???? I thinking about 3" keys and aluminium resonators with one side open. Like a xylorimba. Thanks for your information.

[@woodsmith_1]

Hello, yes, 3" width bars will move more air than 2", resulting in a louder sound, among other differences. Depending on the range, 3" can be loud enough to play acoustic w/drumset (provided it is a good quality instrument and the resonators are properly tuned). I have done many gigs with such a setup. Essentially, the lower the frequency (within normal human range), the less sensitive our ears get. This means marimba keys need to be wider down low, in order to move substantially more air, for us humans to perceive these low notes as being equal in volume to higher ones. Hence, you can play a relatively tiny 1" xylophone with a 6" bass marimba and be able to hear them both just fine. Cheers, -EO

[@4marimbas968]

@@woodsmith_1 thanks 🙂 I do what you say with 3" keys and 3 octaves from F3 to F6. Do you think the first octave F3 to F4 must have 4" keys or something ?

[@woodsmith_1]

@@4marimbas968 I don't think it will be necessary to go to 4" for that range (if C4 is middle C). Howevwr, you might consider graduating the widths or just making the higher keys narrower so their width/length ratio is not too high. Thickness and wood type should also be among your considerations when generating dimensions for a keyboard. If not sure, the best thing to do is experiment and record observations along the path. You will discover what works and what does not that way! Feel free to email me if you need further help; my email can be found on my website, www.padaukdust.com

[@4marimbas968]

@@woodsmith_1 I will do on the future. Thanks ¡!¡!

[@darlingtontonderaitanganyi8476]

great sound nice

[@woodsmith_1]

Thanks!

[@PheniasSadondo]

Wooow amazing. I have subscribed!

[@woodsmith_1]

Thanks for subscribing, glad you enjoyed. :)

[@JeanClaudeWelche]

Génial !

[@woodsmith_1]

merci!

[@Malcoladdin]

Beautiful! Would it be possible/practical to make one an octave lower?

[@woodsmith_1]

Thanks! Certainly possible. It would have to be huge in order to offset the drastic drop in our (humans) ability to hear at those frequencies. I'd recommend you check out Harry Partch's 'marimba eroica'.

[@SSS_304]

Where is the top row of keys?

[@woodsmith_1]

+SnakeSpiderScorpion Lost 'em!

[@thecuteute]

cool

[@user-kh5tj9hw3g]

Is it a bass clarinet?

[@woodsmith_1]

sounds a bit like one, eh?

[@Free_Snooki]

It looks like a marimba that was left in the boiling pot for too long.

[@NikiGehrer]

1.) a balafon, not a marimba isn't it? i forgot second. whatever cool thing

[@woodsmith_1]

Haha, thanks! I don't fuss much over terminology. Call it whatever you fancy, my friend!

[@sambac2053]

2 names from 2 different languages for the same type of instrument, other names include Timbila, Xyolphone, Irimbako, Amadinda, or Akadinda, Etc, all have tuned wooden bars played with sticks/mallets

[@nonchalantree6604]

why is the resonance so strange

[@woodsmith_1]

Home Wild the tubes are equipped with buzzers. They can be deactivated if the buzzing sound is not desired.

[@user-ut7nx6qq4h]

do c e b a

[@503music6]

Have you ever built a marimba? Consider getting regular mallets

[@woodsmith_1]

Indeed I have. What are 'regular' mallets?

[@franciscopascual6354]

Guatemala

[@sambac2053]

nope,Zimbabwe

[@EpicMind500]

What are the notes?

[@woodsmith_1]

Mallets for dayz c-e.

[@EpicMind500]

Okay Thanks!

[@cheemsbuckles5830]

Wow... definitely not the sound I expected

[@DG123z]

sounds like something is rattling.

[@shiningarmor2838]

Please do one without the buzzers

[@woodsmith_1]

Will do, next time I build one of these.

[@shiningarmor2838]

Also, if you do a bigger one, bend the resonators

[@sambac2053]

Shining Armor Build one yourself if you don;t like the Kwanangoma style instruments

[@FrankBenlin]

@@sambac2053 No, Shining Armor is proving that those who can, do. Those who can't think they can order those who do around and whine about it when they don't comply. (See other comment further up.)

[@woodsmith_1]

​@@FrankBenlin Damned true. It's very unfortunate that many have such tendencies, too - as so much can be gained by doing. 'Doing' is one of the elements which makes someone a respectable person, in my view.

[@Brinkk]

sounds rigged

[@willhusband5263]

nice