Most accounts date the origins of the African xylophone back almost 2000 years! This instrument is an open framework constructed of wood and covered by 10 hardwoodkeys. The keys are hardened by fire and graduated in order of size. Underneath the keys are gourd resonators, which thoroughly enrich the sound of the natural wood keys.

The balafon is present in almost all of black Africa, and exists in various models, depending upon the area. Many examples of music for xylophone can be found at http://tcd.freehosting.net/djembemande/bala.html

The tuning of the keys is accomplished by thinning the center (underside) to lower the pitch and by thinning the ends (underside) to raise the pitch. The linear change in stave length has to do with setting the keys on the frame so that they rest on their nodal points (about 20% in from the ends). So the keys are cut to fit on the frame, which has a linear taper, then they are tuned to pitch by shaving off wood from either the center or ends. The gourds that are placed on the underside of the keys are attached with antelope skin, and the actual keys are made from native grown mahogany.

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