3D40.50 • Metallophone

Location: Cabinet 5

Picture shows demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin

Instructions:

• Using the mallet, strike one of the metal bars. You will hear a specific frequency resonating depending on which bar was struck.
• In order to demonstrate the changes in frequency among the bars, you may drag the mallet along the middle of the bars, or tap one each sequentially.
• Sheet music is provided for playing (optional). Please see the music notation reference above!

Concepts Conveyed:

• Fundamental frequencies; the fundamental, or natural, frequency of the bars depend on their shape, as they are all made of the same material.
• Longer bars will result in a lower frequency when struck, and bars that are shorter will give a higher frequency when struck.

Last updated on April 27, 2026