XYLOPHONE, STROHFIDEL, ECHELETTE — Sonorous Substances. Europe. This consists of bars of wood tuned to a scale and laid on ropes of straw. It is struck with wooden hammers. The instrument is popular among the Tyrolese singers and originally belonged to the people of eastern Europe. Considering its rude construction, the fine effects produced are most surprising. Mendelssohn heard Gusikow perform upon the strohfidel and was greatly pleased. Its dry flat tone makes it useful in descriptive music. The instrument was employed in the orchestra, by Lumbye in Traumbildern, and by Saint-Saëns in his Danse Macabre. It is not, however, a true orchestral instrument.
