This is a type of bamboo xylophone where the bars are struck with a mallet on the top of the tubes. The bars are also removable and individual pitches can be achieved by striking the bottom on the floor can be struck. This works well in a music classroom setting. It is similar to boomwhackers and the slapaphone the Blue Man group uses. This version is mostly meant to be stationary but I also have a highly portable version as well.