Xylophones, metallophones and carillons

The name of the xylophone instrument comes from the Greek word xylophone, which means wood voice. It is an idiophone consisting of a different number of differently tuned wooden planks, which sound when struck with two spoon-shaped mallets. The carillon once consisted of bells of various sizes, which were struck with a hammer. The bells were replaced by metal plates of various lengths, which are struck with a wooden mallet.