Percussion: pitched metal

There are many types of bell apart from tubular bells.
Swiss cowbells, or Almglocken, have a chromatic range from C3-A5.
Handbells are usually performed by specialist ensembles. There are 61 bells in a complete handbell set, covering a chromatic range from C2-C7.
The tubaphone has brass or copper tubes suspended xylophone-style across a frame. The range is C4-C6, but the instrument is rare.

All beaters may be used, (but see tubular bells below)

crotales

Also known as 'antique cymbals'. Small, thick brass plates. The range is written C4-C6 (sounding an octave higher)

Hard mallets

flexatone

Steel flange held in a frame and struck by two wooden balls as the player shakes the flexatone. Thumb pressure is used to control pitch, which is distinct but generally in motion (and accompanied by rattling from the balls). Range E5 - A6 approximately.

Hand

flexatone

high
low
a typical phrase, ascending and descending

glockenspiel

Also known as 'orchestral bells', the glock consists of tuned metal bars, laid out on a tray or in a frame. The framed versions often have pedals. The normal written range is from G3-C6 (sounding two octaves higher), but models vary.

a panshot across the glock

also brass and vibe mallets

construction of the glockenspiel
the character of the glockenspiel
glockenspiel notation

scale and arpeggio undamped
scale and arpeggio damped
a high phrase
a low phrase
a quiet melody
low single note
high single note
a famous passage from Dukas' The Sorcercer's Apprentice

gongs

There are many types of gong, but usually they are made of thick brass and tuned. The nipple gong is struck on a raised dome in the middle of the instrument.

The middle beater shown is usual. Most other soft beaters may be used, but never use hard beaters on a gong.

mallets on the nipple gong

gong do's and don'ts

The word 'gong' is Javanese and resembles the sound made by the instrument. Javanese gamelan orchestras contain many different types of gong.

steel drums

Hammered out oil drums of varying sizes, usually grouped together to form a steel band. The range of notes available on individual pans varies, but generally are as follows:
bass pans C2-F3
cello pans B2-G4
tenor pans E3-A4
guitar pans F#3-A5
alto pans G#3-C#6
soprano pans C4-E6

Usually soft rubber beaters.

tubular bells

Metal tubes, suspended either singly or within a frame. The framed tubells comes with a pedal for damping. The written range is usually from F3 to F5.

soft hit with full sustain

loud hit with full sustain

vibraphone

Metal bars placed over resonators, with rotating paddles controlled by motors to modulate the sound. The range is F3 to F5 (notated at pitch).

a panshot across the vibes

vibraphone beaters
bowed notes
bent notes

construction of the vibraphone
the pedal
motor speeds

single note - motor off
single note - motor on
scale and arpeggio undamped
scale and arpeggio damped
glissando up - motor on
glissando down - motor on
bowed passage - motor on
bowed passage - motor off
roll - undamped
roll - damped
a typical passage of Bach, showing various techniques

THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL

Pitched Metal