In the celesta, the hammers strike metal plates – usually steel – to produce the bell-like, magical sound. It is often used for special effects in operas, ballets, symphonies, and more. Unlike a piano, which uses hammers striking strings, the celesta produces sound by hammers striking metal plates or bars that are suspended over wooden resonators. This gives the instrument its signature ethereal and shimmering tone. Get all Bing quiz answers today. Supersonic, News, Entertainment, Weekly quizzes — all Microsoft Rewards answers updated daily. A celesta hammer strikes a metal plate. The vibrating plate gives the celesta its metallic clarity, while the hammer covering and tuned resonator soften the attack. The celesta uses a piano-like keyboard action, meaning that when a key is pressed, a hammer strikes a metal plate. This action is similar to that of a piano, where hammers strike strings. The celesta (/ sɪˈlɛstə /) or celeste (/ sɪˈlɛst /), also called a bell-piano, is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. It looks similar to a four- or five- octave upright piano, albeit with smaller keys and a much smaller cabinet, or a large wooden music box (three-octave). The keys connect to hammers that strike a graduated set of metal (usually steel) plates or bars suspended. The celesta is a French keyboard instrument that produces sound by striking metal bars with hammers. It's central to orchestral and film music and is often used to provide ethereal, bell-like sounds in ensembles. Warpspeed Quiz: September 17, 2026 What type of instrument is a celesta commonly known as? Keyboard What strikes the celesta’s metal bars to make sound? Hammers What sound is the celesta best known for producing? Bell-like Question 2: What strikes the celesta’s metal bars to make sound? Bows Picks Hammers Answer: Hammers The celesta is a keyboard-operated percussion instrument that produces a bell-like, ethereal sound. It works by using a piano-style keyboard to trigger felt hammers that strike steel plates suspended over wooden resonators.