Glockenspiel

Glockenspiel
A glockenspiel made by Malletech
Percussion instrument
Other names
  • Concert bells
  • orchestral bells
  • carillon
Classification Keyboard percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification111.222
(Sets of percussion plaques)
Playing range
Related instruments

The glockenspiel (/ˈɡlɒkənʃpl/ GLO-kən-shpeel; German pronunciation: [ˈɡlɔkənˌʃpiːl] or [ˈɡlɔkn̩ˌʃpiːl], Glocken: bells and Spiel: play) or bells is a percussion instrument consisting of pitched aluminum or steel bars arranged in a keyboard layout. This makes the glockenspiel a type of metallophone, similar to the vibraphone.

The glockenspiel is played by striking the bars with mallets, often made of a hard material such as metal or plastic. Its clear, high-pitched tone is often heard in orchestras, wind ensembles, marching bands, and in popular music.