What is a "Celeste". Is it a musical instrument?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Well I'm going to be really pedantic here.

A "celesta" is the spelling for the percussion instrument consisting of metal bars and hammers, but there is another type of musical-sound referred to as "celeste"....usually "Voix Celeste," or "heavenly voice."

This you will find on an organ, and especially a French romantic organ built in the 19th century by Aristide Cavaille-Coll ,(Paris). They are also to be found on the majority of British and American pipe-organs

The "Voix Celeste" (sometimes just "Celeste") is what is termed an undulating register (a rank of pipes), in that it is tuned slightly sharp of true pitch. When combined with a rank of pipes of similar character, speaking at true pitch, (a soft organ imitation of string-tone), there is a slight wobble or out-of-tune "beat" which is very beautiful and atmospheric.

So this is the REAL answer to the question as asked, even though the questioner was probably thinking of the "Celesta."

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I really don't mind you being pedantic. Thanks for the information - I will know what I'm talking about in the future. Would love to see one though. Must look on the Net. Great answer.

Answer 2

You mean Celesta? Think 'piano' and you'll be on the right track.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celesta

Answer 3

Yes, it's got a keyboard like a piano, and sounds a bit like a muted bell.
It's really a percussion instrument.
If you have heard the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the main theme is played on the celeste.

Answer 4

Celeste is Italian for sky blue. A celesta is a keyboard instrument with tubular bells.

Answer 5

It's a type of keyboard instrument!

Answer 6

It's a glockenspeil built into a piano like body, with a keyboard. The player presses the keys on the keyboard (just like playing a piano) and little hammers tap the glockenspiel plates making the most fairy-like sounds. It's a percussion instrument, commonly called the 'Tinklephone'. It's the instrument that plays the tune to the Sugar Plum Fairy (Tchaikovsky).

Answer 7

I thought it was a girls name!

Answer 8

I think it can also be spelt "celesta". It is a keyboard instrument, resembling a small upright piano. Its name is derived form the French word "celeste" meaning heavenly.

Source(s):

Chambers Encyclopedic English Dictionary