Marimba & Xylophone Rentals

What Are the Marimba and Xylophone?

The marimba and xylophone are both “pitched” or “tuned” percussion instruments comprising sets of tuned bars made from wood or synthetic material. These bars are arranged chromatically, meaning they rise in pitch from left to right, like a keyboard. To play the marimba or xylophone, the percussionist strikes the bars with a mallet.

How Are the Marimba and Xylophone Different?

Although they may look similar, there are key differences between the marimba and the xylophone. The marimba is generally larger than the xylophone in both physical size and range, often spanning an additional octave or more. It produces a warmer, rounder and more resonant tone, and is typically played with softer mallets. In contrast, the xylophone — commonly played with harder mallets — has a brighter, sharper and more penetrating sound.

Both instruments are used in orchestras, concert bands, marching bands and chamber ensembles, but their roles can differ. The xylophone appears more frequently in traditional orchestral music and music-education settings, and most often functions as an ensemble instrument. Notably, the marimba is heard in modern classical works and in solo repertoire, where performers often use four mallets to tackle challenging music and convey both melody and harmony. Accordingly, the marimba tends to be played by older and more advanced percussion students.

Why the Marimba and Xylophone Are Great Instruments for Your Child

Tuned percussion instruments are fun and exciting for children because they allow kids to channel their energy into instant musical feedback — strike a bar and hear a note. Instruments like the xylophone and marimba help kids build a strong rhythmic foundation while offering a clear, accessible layout for learning melodies.

What Comes With My Marimba or Xylophone Rental?

Music & Arts offers up to three options for renting tuned percussion: marimba, xylophone or Practice Xylophone Kit. Marimbas and xylophones come with a stand and mallets. A Practice Xylophone Kit includes a xylophone, a stand, a practice pad for learning snare-drum rudiments, mallets, drum sticks and a padded carrying case. The Kits feature a 2.5-octave instrument, while the standalone marimba and xylophone rentals are 3-octave instruments.

Renting vs. Buying a Marimba or Xylophone

When considering a marimba or xylophone rental, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of renting vs. buying an instrument. If your child is already dedicated to tuned percussion, purchasing may be the better route. For beginners, renting is a low-risk way to discover an instrument without a big upfront investment.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Marimba or Xylophone?

Marimba and xylophone rental rates at Music & Arts are consistently affordable across the country, with pricing that varies by location and school. Special introductory offers make it even easier to get started. Considering that a quality student-level marimba or xylophone can cost well over $1,000, renting with Music & Arts is a budget-friendly alternative.

Marimba and Xylophone Products and Accessories

Your child’s music teacher at school will recommend key accessories that you’ll be able to purchase during the rental process, as well as a method book. In addition, here are some essential accessories we recommend for your child’s practice space.

Mallets: The mallets used to play tuned percussion instruments come in a range of lengths, thicknesses and materials. As students progress, they’ll want to find the mallets that best suit their playing and repertoire.

Metronome: This crucial practice tool provides a steady beat, helping percussionists develop precision and consistency in their playing.

Music Stand: Percussionists need a well-built adjustable music stand to hold their sheet music and method book while practicing.

The Next Steps for Your Marimba and Xylophone Rental

Private lessons: As the leading provider of private music lessons in the United States, Music & Arts is the ideal place for young percussionists to learn the fundamentals of rhythm and melody, advance their skills and supplement their school instruction. Visit our Lessons page or find a store near you.

Continue reading: If your child is enjoying the instrument, you can extend your percussion rental period with Music & Arts.

Buy an instrument: Music & Arts rental fees act as credit toward the purchase of an instrument. If you wish to buy a rentable, high-quality student-level instrument, your accrued rental payments can cover up to 100 percent of the sale price. Buy early, before your rental term expires, to receive a discount of up to 30 percent.

Marimba & Xylophone Rental FAQs

How do I rent a marimba or xylophone from Music & Arts?

You can rent online in just a few simple steps. First, visit our Instrument Rentals page. Then, search for and select your school. Choose your instrument, confirm or select your trial period, and add any method books or supplies. Finally, enter the student and renter information, choose your delivery method and complete the billing details.

What comes with my marimba or xylophone rental?

Music & Arts offers up to three options for renting tuned percussion: marimba, xylophone or Practice Xylophone Kit. Marimbas and xylophones come with a stand and mallets. A Practice Xylophone Kit includes a xylophone, a stand, a practice pad for learning snare-drum rudiments, mallets, drum sticks and a padded carrying case. The Kits feature a 2.5-octave instrument, while the standalone marimba and xylophone rentals are 3-octave instruments. 

Is my marimba or xylophone going to be new?

Most rental instruments are like-new. We recommend renting a previously used instrument, as each one is professionally adjusted for optimal playability.

How long will it take to receive my marimba or xylophone?

If you choose Ship to Home, orders are processed within 48 hours and typically arrive within one to five days, depending on your location. For Pick Up at School, delivery is arranged by your child’s music teacher. If you select Pick Up at Store, the store will contact you when your instrument is ready — usually within 48 hours.