What type of instrument is a idiophone?

Idiophones are musical instruments that produce sound primarily through the vibration of the instrument itself, rather than through strings, membranes, or columns of air. They are classified as self-sounding instruments. Idiophones typically consist of solid materials such as wood, metal, stone, or glass. Common examples of idiophones include bells, cymbals, xylophones, marimbas, gongs, triangles, and castanets. These instruments create sound when struck, shaken, rubbed, or scraped. Idiophones produce a variety of tones and timbres depending on their size, shape, and material composition. They are widely used in traditional music, classical music, contemporary music, and sound effects in film and television.