A xylophone is a musical instrument made up of wooden bars of varying lengths, which are struck with mallets to produce sound. Each bar is tuned to a specific pitch, and the arrangement resembles a keyboard. Xylophones are often used in orchestras, bands, and solo performances, providing a bright, melodic sound. The instrument is part of the percussion family and is similar to other instruments like the marimba and glockenspiel. Xylophones have a long history and are found in many cultures around the world, often used in traditional music as well as contemporary compositions.