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The xylophone is a percussion instrument consisting of a row of bars of graduating lengths suspended over metal tubes, called resonators, and set in a wooden or steel frame. As on a piano, the playing structure of the xylophone is called a "keyboard." The musician plays the instrument by striking the "keys" (bars) with phenolic (resin), plastic or rubber mallets.

If your 'xylophone' has 'steel' bars, it might, instead, be a mellophone.


The word "xylophone" comes from the Greek "xylon" (wood) and "phone" (voice); the literal translation is "wooden sound." For this reason, classic western xylophones have rosewood keyboards (some modern western xylophones and student-quality instruments have synthetic or fiberglass-coated plastic keys) of 2.5 - 4.0 octaves, which means the number of "bars" on the keyboard varies. An octave consists of 8 notes (keys), so a 2.5 octave keyboard will have 20 keys, while a 4.0 octave keyboard will have 32. Concert xylophones are typically 3.5 to 4.0 octaves.

The Glockenspiel (sometimes called bells), looks a lot like a xylophone, but uses steel bars instead of wood, and produces a brighter sound. A glockenspiel has 30 keys, set in two rows.

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Related Questions

How many bars does a Xylophone have?

The xylophone is a percussion instrument made of steel. The number of bars can vary based on how many octaves the particular xylophone has.


What is the difference between xylophone and glockenspiel?

they make different sounds and the xylophone is bigger the glockenspiel has metal bars while the xylophone has wooden bars


What is the difference between a xylophone and a glockenspiel?

The main difference between a xylophone and a glockenspiel is the material of the bars. Xylophones have wooden bars, while glockenspiels have metal bars.


How works a xylophone?

A xylophone is a percussion instrument made of wooden bars of varying lengths that are struck by mallets to produce different pitches. The longer the bar, the lower the pitch it produces when struck. The sound resonates through tubes or a frame underneath the bars, creating the distinctive xylophone sound.


Why do the bars on a xylophone make different noises?

it does that because of the different sizes of the bars


Which size bars produce a low pitched sound in a xylophone?

The biggest bar on the xylophone is the lowest sound.


Is xylophone an adjective?

No, xylophone is a noun, a musical instrument. There is no actual adjective of the form xylophonic. The noun may be used as an adjunct (e.g. xylophone bars).


What is the difference between a marimba and a xylophone?

The main difference between a marimba and a xylophone is the material used to make the bars. Marimba bars are typically made of wood, while xylophone bars are made of metal or synthetic materials. Additionally, marimbas are larger and have a deeper, richer sound compared to xylophones.


What type of insrument is the xylophone?

The xylophone is a percussion instrument with bars made of wood. It is similar to the marimba and the glockenspiel (bells).


What instrument with metal bars is strucked by hammers?

xylophone


The xylophone consists of a set of bars that are played with mallets?

metal


What are the main differences in sound and construction between a glockenspiel, xylophone, and marimba?

The main differences between a glockenspiel, xylophone, and marimba are in their sound and construction. A glockenspiel has metal bars and produces a bright, high-pitched sound. A xylophone has wooden bars and produces a sharp, percussive sound. A marimba has wooden bars like a xylophone but is larger and produces a warmer, more resonant sound.