[{"_1":2,"_3":-5,"_4":-5},"loaderData",{"_5":6,"_7":8},"actionData","errors","root",{"_28":-5,"_38":-5,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54},"routes/_store+/_readers+/email_author.$slug/route",{"_9":10,"_11":-5},"book",{"_12":13,"_14":15,"_16":17,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"currentUser","id","Z2lkOi8vbGVhbnB1Yi9TdG9yZTo6Qm9va1Byb2R1Y3QvNTYxOTA","title","Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Bells for Beginner Adults. 45 Traditional African Songs","state","published","contactAuthorMethod","email","aboutText","

The xylophone is the most important traditional folk instrument on the continent, alongside the drum. Usually, African scales differ from Western ones. The African xylophones mostly have 5, 6, or 7-note (pentatonic, hexatonic, heptatonic) scales, while western instruments typically have a diatonic scale. Rhythm is the most distinguishing characteristic of African music and it always prevails over the melody.

The songs in this book have been adapted and can be played on all models of popular wooden xylophones, metal glockenspiel (metallophone), or resonator blocks. Even a simple kids' xylophone will be adequate to play most of these songs. Some songs here have been simplified for beginners.

The same song played on a wooden xylophone and on a metallophone will result in very different sounds. Due to their clear rhythmic patterns, African songs are an ideal material for any kind of musician. You will find both diatonic and chromatic scores. Some melodies have been especially transposed to a diatonic range to allow you to play them on the most popular models of xylophone, which normally do not have flat notes.

This book is aimed at those new to music and musical instruments and we put letter notation above the notes to make it possible for you to confidently begin playing.

Since African music assumes improvisation and variation, we recommend using this sheet music only as a guide. The most important thing is to listen and repeat the recordings linked to the QR code, so you can listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

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Kick off your book project in 3 hours! Live workshop on Zoom. You’ll leave with a real book project, progress on your first chapter, and a clear plan to keep going. Saturday, May 2, 2026. Learn more…

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