Percussion

Percussion refers to instruments that produce sound mainly by being struck, shaken, rubbed, or scraped. The category includes unpitched instruments that emphasize rhythm and pitched instruments that produce definite pitches.

Sound is produced by two main types: idiophones, which generate sound from the material itself, and membranophones, which use vibrating membranes. Pitched percussion includes timpani, marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone; unpitched percussion includes snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, and cymbals.

Common percussion instruments include drums (snare, bass, toms), cymbals, and tambourines; mallet instruments (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel); and hand percussion (congas, bongos, djembe, shakers, claves). Electronic percussion and drum machines are common in modern music.

In ensembles, percussion provides rhythm, color, texture, and dramatic effects, often highlighting transitions. World traditions include Indian tabla and mridangam, West African drums, Afro-Cuban timbales and congas, Indonesian gamelan, and Latin percussion ensembles.

Percussion is among the oldest musical practices; artifacts date to ancient civilizations. In the 20th century, composers expanded percussion roles and formed dedicated percussion ensembles. Electronic percussion has added new timbres and techniques.