Brisbane school in musical record attempt

Brisbane primary school students are trying to strike a chord by setting a world record for the largest marimba ensemble.

The marimba, an African instrument similar to a xylophone, is a mainstay of most school music ensembles.

While there's usually only one or two playing at the same time, Thursday morning's attempt will have more than 100 students at Oxley State School take part in the world record attempt.

The record for largest marimba ensemble is held by South Africa, where 98 students from a Cape Town school played for 15 minutes in February 2014.

The Oxley ensemble will have to play for at least five minutes continuously to break the record.