A xylophone is a musical instrument made up of wooden bars that are arranged in a specific order. Each bar produces a different pitch when struck with mallets. The bars are usually mounted over a resonator box, which amplifies the sound. Xylophones are commonly used in orchestras, bands, and solo performances. The instrument is part of the percussion family and is similar to other instruments like the marimba and glockenspiel. Xylophones can vary in size and range, with some having as few as 12 bars and others featuring over 30. They are popular in many musical genres, including classical and jazz.