The tubular bells are made of hollow brass tube, usually played with felt or leather tipped hammers. They can also be played with contrabass bow, for example. Another effectg is drowning a bell into water which produces a special, constantly rising tone. The pedal system provided mutes the sound when desired. Traditionally the sound of tubular bells reminds that of church bells.

As it is a pitched instrument, it can be used as the attack of tone followed by the tone of some other instrument, thus producing an impression of constantly ringing tubular bell. 

Listen to the audio samples:

With pedal (84 KB)
Without pedal (66 KB)