Glockenspiel

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a set of metal bars on top of a wooden frame

Glockenspiel is a German word meaning set (‘spiel’) of bells (‘glocken’). Like the xylophone, it is a pitched percussion instrument whose notes appear in the shape of a keyboard. But xylophones are made of wood, and glockenspiels are made of metal. It is typically played with rubber mallets that produce a bright, sparkling sound.

How to Obtain

You can find basic used glockenspiels for about $75. Try to find one with a stand and carrying case if possible. Also, try to obtain rubber mallets made of softer rubber to avoid a harsh sound quality.

How to Learn

A few tips! Hold the center of the mallet rather than the tip of the mallet. Make sure that, when you hit down, you allow the mallet to bounce off the metal surface immediately so that the sound is not dampened. I love using the glockenspiel to play improvised background music. Even playing random notes sounds nice on this instrument.

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