noun
metallophone; glockenspiel; carillon
A percussion instrument consisting of metal bars struck with mallets. In Japanese, 鉄琴 often refers to a glockenspiel or similar metallophone, but can also include carillons.
音楽の授業で鉄琴を演奏した。
I played the glockenspiel in music class.
鉄琴の澄んだ音色が教会に響いた。
The clear tone of the carillon echoed through the church.
木琴 is a xylophone with wooden bars, while 鉄琴 has metal bars.
The loanword グロッケンシュピール specifically refers to a glockenspiel, whereas 鉄琴 is a broader term for metal-bar percussion instruments.
Compound of 鉄 (てつ, 'iron') and 琴 (きん, 'stringed instrument' or 'musical instrument'), referring to an instrument with metal bars. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.