The bells are struck with clappers connected to a keyboard of wooden batons played with the hands and pedals played with the feet. Often, carillons include an automatic system through which the time is announced and simple tunes are played throughout the day. Carillons come in many designs, weights, sizes, and sounds.

How does a carillion work?

A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 carillon bells, arranged in chromatic sequence, so tuned as to produce concordant harmony when many bells are sounded together. It is played from a keyboard that allows expression through variation of touch. The keys are struck with the half-closed hand.

How does the the carillon player play the carillon?

Hand playing is done with a keyboard called baton keyboard or stokkenklavier. ... This causes the corresponding manual keys above to be pulled down. Each key is connected to a bell by means of a system of wires. Although the keys are played with a closed fist, the carillonneur does not "pound" or "beat" the keys.