Xylophones are a type of percussion instrument that consists of a series of tuned wooden bars that are struck with mallets. They are typically used in orchestras and other musical ensembles, and can also be used as solo instruments. Xylophones are part of the idiophone family of instruments, which are instruments that produce sound by vibrating the material of the instrument itself. Other instruments in the idiophone family include glockenspiels, marimbas, and vibraphones.