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Tuned percussion instruments include the xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, bells, crotals and many more. The xylophone is made of bits of wood that are tuned to different notes. The player uses sticks, or beaters, to hit the wooden bars, sometimes as many as six at a time!  Listen to the Xylophone Instrument range Hear it played from its lowest to highest note Special Effects chords / doubles / glissandi Instrument Sound in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess    A percussionist has to play hundreds of instruments. Here are a couple more:     Marimba Like the Xylophone but a lot softer and warmer sounding. Hear it in Creston's Concertino for Marimba     Glockenspiel  This is made from metal bars and sounds very high. Listen to the glockenspiel in Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé           Meet the Orchestra! David Hockings plays percussion with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Read about him below.          David Hockings, Percussionist How old were you when you first started playing? I was given my first real drum at four years old. I had been given a Woolworth’s kit at two. Why did you choose this instrument? I didn’t, it chose me. Do you play any other instruments? A little bit of piano. What do you like most about playing in an orchestra? The feeling of being one of many musicians, especially in large performances with the orchestra and choir. Do you play any other kind of music? Yes, a great deal of chamber music (small groups). What is your favourite music? Choral music from the 18th Century (Baroque). Do you have any hobbies? Too many to list but they include skiing and horse riding.                   All pictures are copyrighted - picture credits     Flute Trumpet Oboe French Horn Clarinet Trombone Bassoon Tuba     Violin Tuned Viola Untuned Cello Timpani Double Bass   Harp   LEARN AN INSTRUMENT Which instrument, which age, finding teachers, buying guide and the perils of practice   Get help Listening

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