The present disclosure is directed to a hand-held musical instrument comprising a first metal plate or portion of a metal plate configured to emit a sound having a first note when struck with a mallet, and a second metal plate or portion of a metal plate configured to emit a sound having a second note when struck with a mallet, with the first and second plates/portions being connected by a handle that is sized and configured to be held by a human hand. The instrument may be held in one hand and the plates/portions struck with a mallet using the other hand. Embodiments of the musical instrument produce complementary notes that are free of interference from one another and that each have a gradual decay rate, leading to a relatively long sustain time.

The present disclosure is directed to a hand-held musical instrument comprising a first metal plate or portion of a metal plate configured to emit a sound having a first note when struck with a mallet, and a second metal plate or portion of a metal plate configured to emit a sound having a second note when struck with a mallet, with the first and second plates/portions being connected by a handle that is sized and configured to be held by a human hand. The instrument may be held in one hand and the plates/portions struck with a mallet using the other hand. Embodiments of the musical instrument produce complementary notes that are free of interference from one another and that each have a gradual decay rate, leading to a relatively long sustain time.

A percussive response unit, and percussion instruments with same, including a rod having a rod shaft and a first retaining element, such a first head, disposed at a first rod end and having a first head width. At least a first striker set of at least one striker is disposed along a first portion of the rod shaft and is positionable near the first head. Each striker defines an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the rod shaft to enable at least one direction of movement. A second retaining element such as a second head is connected to the second rod end to secure the first striker set on the rod shaft. Other embodiments include percussion instruments with multiple internal resonance cavities, internal resonance members, and internal and/or external strikers.

A percussive response unit, and percussion instruments with same, including a rod having a rod shaft and a first retaining element, such a first head, disposed at a first rod end and having a first head width. At least a first striker set of at least one striker is disposed along a first portion of the rod shaft and is positionable near the first head. Each striker defines an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the rod shaft to enable at least one direction of movement. A second retaining element such as a second head is connected to the second rod end to secure the first striker set on the rod shaft. Other embodiments include percussion instruments with multiple internal resonance cavities, internal resonance members, and internal and/or external strikers.

A percussive response unit, and percussion instruments with same, including a rod having a rod shaft and a first retaining element, such a first head, disposed at a first rod end and having a first head width. At least a first striker set of at least one striker is disposed along a first portion of the rod shaft and is positionable near the first head. Each striker defines an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the rod shaft to enable at least one direction of movement. A second retaining element such as a second head is connected to the second rod end to secure the first striker set on the rod shaft. Other embodiments include percussion instruments with multiple internal resonance cavities, internal resonance members, and internal and/or external strikers.

A percussive response unit, and percussion instruments with same, including a rod having a rod shaft and a first retaining element, such a first head, disposed at a first rod end and having a first head width. At least a first striker set of at least one striker is disposed along a first portion of the rod shaft and is positionable near the first head. Each striker defines an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the rod shaft to enable at least one direction of movement. A second retaining element such as a second head is connected to the second rod end to secure the first striker set on the rod shaft. Other embodiments include percussion instruments with multiple internal resonance cavities, internal resonance members, and internal and/or external strikers.

A method of making tonebars and other components for musical instruments comprises using a pultrusion apparatus to embed or coat glass, plant-based, and/or other fibers in or with a thermosetting, thermoplastic, or catalyzed polymer matrix. The coated fibers are pulled into a continuous bar in a curing and forming die. The bar is then cut into predetermined lengths. Each length is then carefully tuned by cutting and shaping so that when it is struck, it will emit musical notes on a chromatic musical scale. In one aspect, the fibers and resin are selected to produce tonebars for marimbas and xylophones that emulate the sound obtained from highly desirable Honduran rosewood at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact associated with this wood.

A method of making tonebars and other components for musical instruments comprises using a pultrusion apparatus to embed or coat glass, plant-based, and/or other fibers in or with a thermosetting, thermoplastic, or catalyzed polymer matrix. The coated fibers are pulled into a continuous bar in a curing and forming die. The bar is then cut into predetermined lengths. Each length is then carefully tuned by cutting and shaping so that when it is struck, it will emit musical notes on a chromatic musical scale. In one aspect, the fibers and resin are selected to produce tonebars for marimbas and xylophones that emulate the sound obtained from highly desirable Honduran rosewood at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact associated with this wood.

A foldable idiophone musical instrument may have two frames to support accidental tone bars on the first frame and natural tone bars on the second frame. Connecting members may attach to opposite ends of the frames. The connecting members may allow the frames to rotate from 0° to 180° from a horizontal position to collapse or fold the instrument. The connecting members may have a riser portion and a stop block portion. The riser portion may elevate the accidental tone bars above the natural tone bars. The stop block portion may prevent the frames from rotating to less than 0° from the horizontal when in a performance position.

A foldable idiophone musical instrument may have two frames to support accidental tone bars on the first frame and natural tone bars on the second frame. Connecting members may attach to opposite ends of the frames. The connecting members may allow the frames to rotate from 0° to 180° from a horizontal position to collapse or fold the instrument. The connecting members may have a riser portion and a stop block portion. The riser portion may elevate the accidental tone bars above the natural tone bars. The stop block portion may prevent the frames from rotating to less than 0° from the horizontal when in a performance position.