Our Instruments

Instruments with a pentatonic scale (C, D, E, G, A) work well for players with less musical experience; it’s a good scale for improvisation. The limitation is that not all songs or melodies can be played because of the limited number of pitches. As an example, “Amazing Grace” can be played on a pentatonic instrument, but “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” cannot. 

The tone of the aluminum bars on metallophones is sustained longer than the sound of wood tone bars on marimbas and

RAIN WHEEL
(Based on the rain stick tube rattle of the Americas)  22 inch diameter PVC pipe wheel with stainless steel screws and galvanized steel hardware ready for mounting.  Painted blue (or your choice).
(Shown with optional stand)

KALIMBA
A giant (60” tall) thumb piano (Sansa, Mbira or Rumba box). Six pitches, pentatonic scale.

amadindas. With this in mind, metallophones are the better choice for lower range instruments as they provide the longer tones of harmonic accompaniment.

Pre-school considerations

We make a pre-school version of each of our keyboard instruments (tone bars centered at approximately 30” instead of the standard 36”).  The Soprano Metallophone with a pentatonic scale is a popular choice.  Animal drums are also a favorite encouraging both imaginative and musical play.  Rain wheels require gross motor movement of the upper body when they are played; we can also use alternative materials for the “rattle” noise so that each rain wheel will have its own distinct sound if more than one rain wheel is planned.

Instruments may be personalized with a custom panel featuring an appropriate quotation or by a music panel showing color coded musical notation of traditional children’s songs.
 

HOME • THE ARTISTS • INSTRUMENTS • RESOURCES • HOW TO ORDER • CONTACT US

Sound Play, Inc.
P.O. Box 115 •  Parrott, GA 39877
229-623-5545 •  bond@soundplay.com