The Complete List of Percussion Instruments

Ted's List
The Collector
Published in
2 min readFeb 17, 2024

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The Complete List of Percussion Instruments

Have you ever considered the vital role percussion instruments play in music? From the booming timpani to the delicate triangle, the orchestra’s percussion family is the largest and adds excitement, rhythm, and colour.

Percussion instruments can be tuned or untuned and can produce a range of sounds, from roaring thunder to clear tinkling bells.

They’re an essential part of any musical ensemble and have been used throughout history to provide the backbone or heartbeat of a piece of music.

This article will explore percussion instruments’ fascinating world, history, and musical benefits. So, grab your drumsticks and let’s begin!

WHAT ARE PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS?
kids playing tambourine

A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by being struck or scraped.

It’s a broad category of instruments, including drums, bells, cymbals, xylophones, maracas, and more. The orchestra’s largest percussion family is believed to include the oldest musical instruments, excluding the human voice.

Percussion instruments can be either tuned or untuned, with tuned instruments producing different notes and untuned instruments producing no definite pitch.

They’re vital in keeping the rhythm, making special sounds, and adding excitement and colour to music.

Unlike many other players in the orchestra, percussionists typically play many different instruments in one piece of music. In jazz and other popular music ensembles, the pianist, bassist, drummer, and sometimes the guitarist is called the rhythm section.

Understanding and incorporating percussion in music is crucial for any musician, whether in an orchestra, a band, or any other genre of music.

Read the full article here.

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