How to play the virtual xylophone
- Tap any bar to hear it. On a phone, you can use two fingers at once, like two mallets.
- Slide your finger or mouse across the bars to play a glissando from low to high.
- Switch between Wood (an orchestral xylophone) and Metal (the sound of toy xylophones, which are actually metallophones).
- The colored bars are the natural notes, from C to B. The dark bars in the back are the sharps and flats, like the black keys on a piano.
- Choose a song under Play a Song: a white ring marks the next bar, and the song appears in colors below.
Note colors
Each note has its own color across all octaves. That means a song can be written as a row of colors and played without knowing how to read sheet music.
| Note | Color |
|---|---|
| C | Rojo |
| D | Naranja |
| E | Amarillo |
| F | Verde |
| G | Azul |
| A | Violeta |
| B | Rosado |
Easy Xylophone Songs
Under “Play a Song,” you'll find four public-domain melodies. The next bar is highlighted, and the song appears below as a row of colors. Select “Listen” to hear it before you play.
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: C C G G A A G, F F E E D D C. Red, blue, purple, and back again. The best song to start with.
- Ode to Joy: B B C D D C B A, G G A B B A A. The melody almost always moves to the neighboring bar.
- Happy Birthday: C C D C F E, C C D C G F. Near the end, use a bar in the back row, B♭.
- Frère Jacques: G A B G, G A B G, B C D, B C D. It's a round. Play it while someone sings along.
For more songs with note names, browse the easy sheet music: it works just as well for xylophone as for piano.
Wood or Metal Xylophone
An orchestral xylophone has wooden bars and a short, dry sound, one octave higher than written. Instruments with metal bars, such as the glockenspiel and metallophone, have a bright, ringing sound that lasts longer. Use the Wood and Metal buttons to compare the two tones.
The xylophone is a great introduction to music for children: every strike is in tune, and they can see which bar plays each note. When they're ready to go further, introductory music lessons and piano lessons are the next steps, available at home in Bogotá or online.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a xylophone and a metallophone?
The bar material. A xylophone has wooden bars (or a synthetic material that imitates wood) and a short, dry sound. A metallophone, such as a glockenspiel, has metal bars and a bright sound that rings longer. Many toy instruments sold as xylophones are actually metallophones. Here, you can try both sounds with the Wood or Metal button.
How many notes does a xylophone have?
It depends on the instrument. Toy xylophones usually have eight bars, spanning one octave from C to C. An orchestral xylophone spans several octaves, with the natural notes in one row and the sharps and flats in another, like this virtual xylophone, which displays two octaves on a computer and ten bars on a phone.
Why are the bars different colors?
Colors help children find the notes before they can read music: many children's songbooks give each note its own color. Here, C is red, D orange, E yellow, F green, G blue, A purple, and B pink. Toy brands don't always use the same colors, so check the note names.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Play with one or two fingers at a time. On your phone, you'll see ten bars, from C to E, enough for all the songs. If there's no sound, turn up the media volume and, on an iPhone, check the silent switch too.
Is the xylophone good for helping children learn music?
It's often one of the first instruments introduced to young children, because every strike produces a clear pitch and they can see which bar plays each note. It helps develop a sense of beat, focus, and the ability to play simple melodies. If you'd like guidance, Gissi offers early childhood music classes in your home in Bogotá and online.