Campanelli

As Printed on a Score

Labels the glockenspiel in Italian scores (Campanelli; Camp. later), on a treble-clef staff written two octaves below sounding pitch. Camp. can also stand for campane (tubular bells), so read the first-system label before assuming which instrument is meant.

Abbreviations: Camp.

How Composers Use It

Steel bars struck with hard mallets give a brilliant, penetrating ping that carries above the full orchestra, so the glockenspiel is best used to sparkle on top of a melody or to double the highest notes of a figure. Because it sounds two octaves up, the written part sits comfortably in the treble staff. Harder mallets give brilliance and softer ones a gentler chime; let notes ring unless you mark them damped.

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