Detail 01
Diatonic
You get a C major set. Sharps and flats require separate add-on bars, so plan for those if you teach in other keys.
Product detailSKU #1274228068081
Studio 49Series 1000 Orff Xylophones Diatonic Alto, Ax 1000
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A full-size diatonic alto xylophone from Studio 49's Series 1000 Orff line. Built for schools and teachers running an ongoing Orff program.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Elementary and Orff classrooms building a permanent instrumentarium
- Teachers who need an alto voice under existing soprano bars
- Programs where one instrument gets played daily for years
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players needing every chromatic note out of the box
- Casual home use — this is priced as classroom equipment
- Anyone wanting a marimba's low, deep sustain
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Alto range
Sits a range below soprano. It fills the middle in an ensemble and pairs naturally with soprano and bass instruments.
Detail 03
Xylophone, not metallophone
Wooden bars give a short, dry, articulate tone. Notes stop quickly, so fast rhythmic parts stay clean rather than blurring.
Detail 04
Removable bars
Standard on Orff instruments. Pull the bars you don't want so a beginner can only play notes that fit the piece.
Detail 05
Series 1000 build
Studio 49's full-size professional line rather than a compact student box. Expect real weight and a full-depth resonator case.
Detail 06
$710 price
This is a long-term capital purchase for a program, not a trial instrument. Cost per year is what matters here.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Chromatic add-on bars are a separate purchase if you teach outside C major
- 02Budget for mallets matched to wooden bars — hard heads dent them
- 03Full-size Orff instruments are heavy and awkward; plan storage and floor space
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What's the difference between a xylophone and a metallophone here?
Bar material. Wooden xylophone bars sound dry and stop fast. Metal bars ring on. In an Orff ensemble the xylophone carries rhythmic parts.
02Can I play sharps and flats on this?
Not as it comes. A diatonic set gives you C major. Chromatic add-on bars, bought separately, extend it to other keys.
03Is alto the right size to start a program with?
Alto works well as an ensemble middle voice, but most programs start with soprano and add alto and bass as the instrumentarium grows.
04What mallets should I use?
Medium-hard rubber or wooden-core mallets suited to wooden bars. Very hard heads will dent the bars over time and sound harsh in a room.
