Tubular bells are sometimes struck on the top edge of the tube with a rawhide- or plastic-headed hammer.

The tubes provide a purer tone than solid cylindrical chimes, such as those on a mark tree.

In the early 20th century tubular bells were also incorporated into theater organs to produce effects.

At the beginning of his solo symphony recording project in 1972, Oldfield discovered a set of tubular bells at The Manor Studio in Oxfordshire, England, and asked new owner Richard Branson for permission to use them.

Tubular bells are also used in longcase clocks, particularly because they produce a louder sound than gongs and regular chime-rods and therefore could be heard more easily.