percussive

Percussive is an adjective relating to percussion, or to the act of striking. The word derives from the Latin percussus, the past participle of percutere, meaning “to strike.” In general use, percussive describes anything that produces, involves, or emphasizes a striking action or sound.

In music, percussive refers to sounds produced by hitting a surface or object with a hand, stick, or other tool, and to playing styles that emphasize sharp attack and short duration. Percussion instruments are typically grouped into idiophones, which produce sound primarily by the vibration of the instrument itself (such as xylophones, marimbas, cymbals, bells, and wood blocks), and membranophones, which generate sound mainly from a vibrating membrane stretched over a frame (such as drums and timbales). Some instruments combine both characteristics or are used to create percussive textures within ensembles.

Beyond instruments, percussive can describe actions or styles that involve striking or tapping to produce rhythm or emphasis. In dance, percussive movement or body percussion uses stomps, claps, and slaps to create rhythmic patterns. In audio and music production, percussive elements are those with a quick transient and pronounced attack, often used to drive tempo and energy in a track. The term is also encountered in phrases like “percussive maintenance,” a humorous label for quick, improvised fixes by tapping or striking equipment.