Ludwig Glockenspiel

Ludwig Glockenspiel

Percussion instrument

This is a Ludwig Glockenspiel. It's somewhat of a niche instrument as a metallophone, producing very high frequency pitch, compared to xylophones or marimbas which often feature wooden keys with lower pitch. The glockenspiel is somewhat of a progression in terms of materiality from similar key/bar striking instruments that utilize wood like the xylophone or marimba, but I would say the pinnacle of progression in material terms as well as appeal would be the aluminum vibraphone.
This glockenspiel has a fairly short range of notes with only two full octaves but this is typical as glockenspiels are not quite as dynamic as a piano or vibraphone. It’s fairly simple to just pick up and play because each note is engraved into the bars but without a strap to aid in holding there lies some difficulty because its solid metal. I’m not exactly sure what this one is made out of since the previous owner could only date the instrument to the 40s or 50s but they might have exaggerated its age.
I was particularly drawn to the design of this glockenspiel because of its lyre shape. Most percussive key instruments have a box like rectangular shape but this glockenspiel variant is aesthetically much more interesting as it draws comparisons to the lyre or a short harp.

Ludwig

Mike Schmitt

January 19, 2020

Digital Image

Still Image