The ancient bass instrument of the Caribbean
The marimbula provides the deep foundation of Caribbean music: a row of metal tongues mounted on a wooden resonating body, played while sitting on top of the instrument. Its voice is soft, warm and deeply resonant - delivering rhythm and bass at once, so a single marimbula can hold a whole playing circle together.
Eight individually tunable metal tongues
The eight metal plates are mounted in the support system so that each one can be tuned separately within the D to g range. From the factory they are tuned to an F major pentatonic scale in which every note fits the others. If you prefer a different scale, adjusting the length of the tongues lets you set another tuning.
Plucked or struck
The instrument can be played in two ways. Plucked with the fingers it gives a soft, round tone reminiscent of a bass guitar. Struck with mallets the tongues speak with fresh, ringing overtones and the sound becomes more rhythmic and percussive.
A body you sit on
The body is made of alder and ash and measures 60 x 20 x 40 cm. You sit comfortably on top of the instrument, leaving your hands free to move over the tongues while you feel the resonance of the body beneath you. It works well in drum circles, world music ensembles and music therapy sessions.