Marimba-like instruments with joined bars and resonators arose independently on three continents

Evidence

A similar type of wind harp installed in a kite is known in Java. Unlike the European variety, which generally consists of a number of strings, sometimes tuned in a harmonic series, those of Java and China produced single tones, though they still possessed the same unearthly quality. — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 845 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

In order that notes can be played which have a clearly perceived pitch on percussion instruments such as the xylophone, marimba and vibraphone—with playing ranges from C5 (523 Hz) to C8 (4186 Hz), A2 (110 Hz) to C7 (2093 Hz) and F3 (175 Hz) to F6 (1397 Hz), respectively—the bars are shaped with an arch on their undersides to tune the modes to be close to harmonics of the first mode. In the marimba and vibraphone, the second mode is tuned to two octaves above the first mode, and in the xylophone, it is tuned to a twelfth above the first mode. These instruments have resonators, which consist of a tube closed at one end, mounted under each bar. The first mode of these resonators is tuned to the f0 of the bar to enhance its loudness, and therefore the length of the resonator is a quarter of the wavelength of f0 (see Equation 1.36). — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1287 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Percussion bars are shaped to tune their modes toward harmonic ratios — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1287; A free-edged cymbal plate produces inharmonic, mixed modes; Marimba is an idiophone coupling mechanical and air resonances through the NFC mechanism (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Marimba is an idiophone coupling mechanical and air resonances through the NFC mechanism #expands (0.78)
• Percussion bars are shaped to tune their modes toward harmonic ratios #expands (0.75) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1287
• Wind harps invented independently in Asia produced distinct single tones #corroborates (0.75) — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 845
• A free-edged cymbal plate produces inharmonic, mixed modes #complicates (0.72)
• Nonharmonic natural modes give struck percussion instruments their clangy identity #complicates (0.72)
• Instrument bodies act as coupled resonators that shape and radiate sound #expands (0.72)