Which of the following, cymbals, xylophone, triangle, or tam-tam is capable of playing melodies?

The xylophone is a musical instrument that is part of the percussion family and is played by striking a row of wooden bars of different lengths with wooden mallets. In Greek, xylophone means wooden sound. The xylophone possibly originated in Southeast Asia. The first mention of it is in Europe in 1511.

It became popular in 1830 in solo and garden concerts. This instrument can be played on insulation material or in your lap. There are many types of xylophones, many found in Africa. Xylophones play melodies instead of chords like in string instruments.