The glockenspiel (pronounced GLO-kən-shpeel; German: Glocken meaning "bells" and Spiel meaning "play") is a percussion instrument made of tuned aluminum or steel bars arranged in a keyboard-like layout. This design classifies the glockenspiel as a type of metallophone, similar to the vibraphone.

The instrument is played by striking the bars with mallets, typically made of hard materials like metal or plastic. Its bright, high-pitched sound is commonly used in orchestras, wind ensembles, marching bands, and popular music.

Terminology

In German, a carillon is also called a glockenspiel, and in French, the glockenspiel is sometimes called a carillon. It may also be called "jeu de timbres" (meaning "set of small bells") in French, although this term is sometimes used only for the keyboard glockenspiel. In Italian, the term "campanelli" (meaning "little bells") is used.

The glockenspiel is sometimes mistakenly called a xylophone. (The xylophone has wooden bars, while the glockenspiel has metal bars.) The Pixiphone, a type of toy glockenspiel, was once sold as a xylophone.

Range

The glockenspiel is designed to play high notes and usually covers a range from 2 and a half to 3 octaves. Some professional versions can reach up to 3 and a half octaves. The instrument often plays notes that are two octaves higher than what is written on the music. However, musicians sometimes use a special clef symbol to adjust the notation for clarity.

History

Early glockenspiels were percussion instruments that made musical notes by using small bronze bells. These bells were adjusted using a drumstick. In the 17th century, the bells were replaced with metal sound plates. During the 18th century, the instrument was played with a keyboard that hit the bottom of each plate with a hammer. In the 19th century, the use of mallets changed, and this happened around the same time as the Romanticism period.

Construction

In marching or military bands, the bars of a glockenspiel are sometimes placed in a portable case and held upright, or arranged in a frame shaped like a lyre. Alternatively, the bars may be held horizontally using a harness similar to one used on a marching snare drum. In orchestral settings, the bars are always mounted horizontally.

Larger glockenspiel sets, which cover three octaves or more, often include a sustain pedal, similar to the one found on a vibraphone.

Between 1918 and 1932, J.C. Deagan, Inc. produced bells with a resonator, called Parsifal bells. Today, both Adams and Yamaha create their professional glockenspiels based on the design developed by Deagan.

Mallets

The glockenspiel is played using mallets that are not wrapped and are made from hard materials, such as metal (often brass or aluminum) or certain types of plastic-like materials (such as Lexan, acrylic, phenolic, or nylon). Mallets made of non-metal materials are used for general playing, while metal mallets create a brighter sound. Rubber mallets may be used for a softer, warmer sound. However, if the rubber is too soft, it may not cause the metal bars to vibrate properly. To play chords on a glockenspiel, four mallets can be used with a technique called the Stevens technique.

Current manufacturers

• Adams Musical Instruments is a company that makes musical instruments.
• Majestic Percussion is a company that produces percussion instruments.
• Musser Mallet Company is a company that creates mallets for musical instruments.
• Premier Percussion is a company that designs and sells percussion instruments.
• Yamaha Percussion is a company that manufactures percussion instruments.

Bell-lyre

In the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, a type of glockenspiel is called a bell lyre, bell lyra, or lyra-glockenspiel. The bell lyre is a type of glockenspiel often used in marching bands.

One version of the bell lyre is played vertically and has a long, adjustable spike that is held with a strap. The player carries the strap over one shoulder and holds the instrument upright while striking it with a mallet. Another version of the bell lyre is supported by a strap around the shoulders and back. This version is played horizontally with two mallets. Since the middle of the 19th century, this type of instrument has been used in military and civil bands in Germany, where it is called a Stahlspiel or Militär-Glockenspiel.

In the Philippines, the all-percussion drum and lyre corps uses this instrument as a main part of their music. This type of glockenspiel is also common in Colombian marching band music.

Many marching bands stopped using bell lyres after the introduction of the front ensemble. One of the few college marching bands that still includes a glockenspiel section is UC Berkeley's University of California Marching Band, where the instruments are called "glocks."