Xylophone

DEFINITION

A percussion instrument consisting of a row of chromatically tuned wooden bars, arranged in the manner of a piano keyboard. The bars are supported by a wooden frame over resonator tubes and they are sounded by being struck with mallets. Currently, the standard xylophone has a range of three-and-a-half octaves ( f to c 4). Commercial sizes can have as few as three octaves and as many as five octaves. The xylophone sounds one octaves higher than the written note.Also [Eng.] xylophone; [Fr.] xylophone; [Ger.] Xylophon; [It.] xilofono; [Sp.] xil'fono.Written RangeSounds an octave higher<br><br>Or bells. A musical instrument consisting of metal or wooden bars that are tuned and played with mallets. Common in musical symphonies and orchestras.