Tubaphone

A tubaphone is a percussion instrument consisting of tuned metal tubes, typically arranged in a chromatic scale. The tubes are struck with mallets to produce a ringing, bell-like sound. Although sometimes described as a type of metallophone, the term "tubaphone" generally refers to instruments where the resonating body is primarily the tube itself, rather than a flat bar. They are often used in orchestral and contemporary music to create unique textures and timbres. The size and material of the tubes affect the pitch and sustain of the instrument. While not as common as instruments like the xylophone or marimba, the tubaphone provides a distinctive percussive voice.