Glockenspiel
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The Glockenspiel, also known as orchestral bells, is struck with hard hammers to produce an attractive, tinkling sound. The arrangement of the bars follows the pattern of the white and black notes on a piano keyboard. The glockenspiel shown here is played in orchestras ; there are also smaller school instruments and upright models for marching bands.
| Family |
| Percussions |
| Pitch range |
| Two to two-and-a-half octaves. |
| Material |
| Wooden frame with metal, preferably steel, bars. |
| Size |
| Variable. |
| Origins |
| Although known in 18th century Europe, the glockenspiel was not in regular use until the mid-19th century. |
| Classification |
| Idiophone: an instrument that produces its sound through the use of the material from which it is made, without needing strings or a stretched skin. |
| And also... |
| In "The Magic Flute" Mozart composed a part for a glockenspiel, which he called the "instrument of steel." |
