Temple blocks


A percussion idiophone similar to the wood block. The temple blocks are typically a set of five hollow wooden (or hard plastic) blocks of different sizes with a slit through the middle. When struck with a stick or mallet, the temple blocks sound pitches higher or lower, depeding on their size. The smaller the temble block the higher the pitch. Although temple blocks are not considered pitched nstruments, they can produce discernable pitches, and some temple blocks are actually tuned to the pentatonic scale. Most often, however, a composer will not indicate which temple block to strike, only which note should be higher in pitch. The temple blocks are larger and have a more resonant sound than the wood block.<br><br>A set of tuned wood blocks played with mallets or drumsticks.