If you’re a fan of musical instruments, there are plenty of choices out there that begin with M. From classic to unique, you’re sure to find something suitable for your next music project!
The mbiri, also known as a thumb piano, has an extensive history. This ancient traditional African instrument can be used to craft intricate melodies and rhythms.
Mandolin
Mandolins are stringed instruments that can be played with the hands. While they have many uses, mandolins tend to be misunderstood for guitars – though these two instruments have distinct sound signatures.
The mandolin, a descendent of the lute, is one of the oldest musical instruments. It has eight strings and can be plucked with your fingers. This instrument finds popularity in various genres such as bluegrass music.
Wooden box can come in various shapes, such as round or teardrop-shaped with scrolls or projections on top.
Mandolins typically come with eight strings, but there are also ten-string versions. Generally speaking, these strings are tuned to G-G-D-A-E-E.
A mandolin can be used in a variety of musical genres, such as bluegrass and country. It’s an ideal instrument for beginners since it’s relatively straightforward to learn and doesn’t need much practice to master.
When learning how to play the mandolin, the ideal approach is finding an experienced teacher who can guide you through the process. This will help prevent any bad habits from developing and teach you correct techniques for playing.
When playing the mandolin, it is recommended that you use a strap. This will make it easier for you to hold the instrument securely and prevent accidental slips.
When learning the mandolin, you may experience some stinging or pain when placing your fingers on the strings. This is normal and should go away after practice is complete.
Mbiri
The mbiri is the world’s oldest musical instrument. It’s played by knotting a rope around a drum with one or more fingers, then striking it with another finger. The drum itself looks like a triangle, made from hollow blocks of wood with an indented surface on one side.
It is an ancient African instrument popular with the Himba people of northern Namibia, but can also be found in other African nations. Generally, this instrument is played during ceremonies or other times when music is needed.
Mbiri comes in many varieties. Popular options include:
Mbiri kuna Mwari was composed in the spirit of choral music heard at Episcopal Cathedral in Harare, Zimbabwe during the summer of 1993. It features the Shona translation of the opening section of the Gloria of the Mass Ordinary.
Mbiri kuna Mwari is not the only type of mbiri instrument found in Africa; there are many others as well. The most popular type is known as the mbiri horn.
It features a large snout and is often decorated with gold or silver leaf for its distinctive appearance. Additionally, mbiri drums, made of metal rods with attached mbiri reeds on their ends, provide accompaniment.
The mbiri ring is another popular form of the instrument. This small bell attaches itself to the mbiri drum and can be played when music is required.
Maracas
Maracas are percussion instruments played by shaking them. They’re commonly found in Cuban, Afro-Puerto Rican, Orchestral music and Rock ‘n’ Roll music as well as folkloric music from various Latin American countries. Maracas have become a “staple” of Latin music.
Maracas are constructed of hollowed gourds tied to a handle for shaking. Inside them, there may be stones, beans or seeds which create different sounds when struck with one hand. A single maraca can be hit hard to produce an intense sound or the seeds can be shaken back and forth for a lighter resounding tone.
Maracas are typically played together, with the two percussion instruments producing different sounds depending on which is struck first. The amount of pebbles or seeds inside each instrument affects its sound and an experienced player can anticipate the rhythmic nature of each instrument.
Traditional maracas are made from gourds or stitched leather with wooden handles, but modern maracas can also be crafted out of plastic, fiber, or other materials. Many feature machinery like lathes and glues to shape the handles and bells for a tight fit.
Gourds used in maracas are grown under controlled conditions to avoid drying out too quickly. Manufacturers may sand the exteriors and fill them with various noisemakers such as seeds, beans or small stones; both quantity and variety have an effect on sound.
Most maracas are handmade from gourds, though some can also be crafted out of other plant pods, dried berries or shells. They usually feature vibrant colors like green, red or orange on their outsides; some even depict landscape scenes such as jungles and mountains.
Mallets
Mallets are indispensable tools for blacksmiths, carpenters and stonemasons alike. At home they can even be employed in projects like extracting rusted bolts from drywall or cabinets.
Mallets are used primarily to strike objects with the purpose of producing sound. In music, they can be used to strike a drum or cymbal for percussion instruments or keys on keyboard instruments like pianos.
These containers can be constructed from a range of materials and come in various shapes. Generally, they feature a handle and an elongated, cylindrical head.
Mallet heads can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, rubber and metal. The composition plays an important role in determining the sound they produce.
Harder heads provide more surface area for strikes, creating more attack and a louder sound with overtones. Conversely, softer ones produce a bassier and deeper sound that has greater influence over an instrument’s tone.
Heavier heads are typically used for striking marimbas, xylophones, glockenspiels and other percussion instruments that need a strong and bright sound. Furthermore, heavier mallets allow players to create complex designs on one beat instead of producing flat sounds from softer mallets.
Vibraphones are percussion instruments that require a heavy, firm-headed mallet for full, robust bell sounds. Rawhide hammers were once common but have since been replaced by cheaper plastic-headed mallets.
A mallet’s shaft can be made of a variety of materials, with rattan and birch being two popular choices. Cord wrapping is another popular option which produces a more intense attack sound.
Marimba
Marimba (Bantu for “many xylophones”) is an African instrument that’s been around for centuries. It’s a widely popular folk instrument with several unique characteristics.
The marimba is a multi-keyed instrument featuring two rows of diatonic notes (white and black). It can be played solo or by an ensemble.
Bars are suspended from a string that runs through their nodal points and is kept taut by pegs. These bars are attached to a metal frame mounted on wheels for portability.
Marimbas typically feature resonators made of natural gourds. However, more advanced instruments may employ wooden resonators which are tuned to the pitch of the bars. In Central America and Mexico, these resonators often feature membrane-mirlitons which produce a distinctive buzzing sound when struck.
Modern marimbas are made up of rosewood bars that vary in length, width and thickness. At their bottoms are covered with aluminium or brass resonators which are tuned to match the fundamental pitch of the wooden bars within the marimba.
The marimba’s resonators can be divided into various sections to produce various rolls. These rolls may be monophonic or polyphonic and linked together in continuous rhythms that vary in length and dynamic level.
They can be employed for dramatic builds ups or decrescendos, as well as to maintain a background harmonic layer in music. Furthermore, tremolos can be played either as one note or several notes in succession.
The marimba is an ideal addition to a band, ensemble or orchestra, offering an exciting sound that blends in with other instruments. Plus, it’s lightweight and portable – ideal for taking along on concerts or band practices!