Glockenspiel vs Xylophone
To the untrained eye, the xylophone and glockenspiel may appear to be almost the same. Both instruments are part of the percussion family and share similar appearances. However, there are significant differences between the two.
Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel was developed in Germany during the 17th century and is made up of metal bars arranged according to their individual tunes. Positioned horizontally, the glockenspiel’s bars are organized like a piano keyboard. The instrument’s case serves as a resonator, which means additional sound amplification is not required. A glockenspiel typically has a sound range of two and a half to three octaves.
Xylophones
Xylophones are made of wooden bars of varying lengths, placed side by side in accordance with their size. The instrument’s origins are debated, with some believing it came from Asia, while others argue it is from Africa. Xylophones usually have a range of three to four octaves and often produce a pitch one octave higher than the original note.
Key Takeaways
- The primary difference between glockenspiels and xylophones is the material used for their bars: metal for glockenspiels and wood for xylophones.
- Glockenspiels produce a bell-like sound, while xylophones have a short and sharp sound. This difference results in the two instruments being used for different types of musical performances.
- The mallets used to play each instrument are different. Glockenspiels use hard mallets made from plastic or metal, while xylophones use mallets made from plastic or rubber.
