What is glockenspiel?

A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned metal plates, arranged in a keyboard-like layout. Each plate produces a distinct pitch when struck with a mallet. The glockenspiel is often used in orchestral music and is popular in marching bands and as a teaching tool in music education. The range of the glockenspiel is usually two and a half to three octaves, from G4 to C7. The name "glockenspiel" comes from the German words "glocken," meaning bells, and "spiel," meaning play. The glockenspiel is often confused with the xylophone, which is also a percussion instrument consisting of tuned wooden bars, but with a softer, less bell-like sound.