percussione

Percussione, or percussion, refers to the family of musical instruments that produce sound primarily by being struck, shaken, or rubbed. The category emphasizes rhythm, texture, and attack over sustained melodic lines, and instruments can vary widely in construction, material, and whether they produce a definite pitch.

Two broad classifications are commonly used. Idiophones produce sound from the vibrating material of the instrument itself—examples include xylophone, marimba, cymbals, triangles, and rattles. Membranophones generate sound from a vibrating membrane stretched over a drum shell—examples include snare drum, bass drum, congas, and timbales. A further distinction separates instruments by pitch: pitched (definite pitch) and unpitched (indefinite pitch). Some percussion can function as both, such as timpani, which are pitched drums.

In orchestral and contemporary contexts, percussion comprises pitched and unpitched instruments. Common pitched percussion includes timpani, glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone, and marimba. Unpitched instruments include snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, triangle, and cymbals. Many traditions also feature specialized percussion such as drums and metallophones in African, Indian, Southeast Asian, and Latin American ensembles, where rhythm and timbre are central to ensemble identity.

Notation and performance practice vary. Pitched percussion is usually written on standard pitch staves, while unpitched percussion may use percussion staves, non-pitched note heads, or specialized cues. Technique indicators describe strokes, rolls, rims, and damping, and performers often coordinate closely with other musicians through cues and dance-like rhythms.

History and usage: percussion has ancient roots in ritual, military, and ceremonial contexts across cultures. In Western music, the percussion section expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries, paralleling advances in orchestration and the rise of the drum kit in popular music. Today, percussion remains essential for rhythm, color, and expressive impact in diverse genres.