In 1874 the French composer Saint-saëns wrote a book named "Dance of death". When she sang for the first time, some of the listeners was terrified: they heard the sound of bones, as if actually danced Death scary skeleton with skull, empty eye sockets staring, with sariaslani scythe.
Camille Saint-Saëns. Symphonic poem "Dance of Death"
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How achieved the composer of such impressions? He entered the orchestra xylophone is a percussion instrument that looks like a bells. The xylophone is of the same form, but does not consist of metal plates, and wooden bars. Play them using two wooden sticks. The range of xylophone - up from the first to the fourth octave. The sound is dry, clicking, ringing.

Xylophone
Of course, these days he no scares. Very impressive sound xylophone fast Scherzo plays, which are often performed by xylophonist accompanied by the piano.