slagverk

Slagverk, or percussion, refers to the group of musical instruments that produce sound mainly by striking with sticks, mallets, hands, or other implements. The term covers both pitched and unpitched instruments and includes sounds produced by vibrating membranes as well as by the instrument’s own body. In orchestral, band, and popular music, slagverk provides rhythm, texture, and color.

Slagverk can be divided into two broad categories: idiophones and membranophones. Idiophones generate sound from the vibrating material of the instrument itself, and examples include cymbals, xylophones, marimba, glockenspiel, vibraphone, tambourine, triangle, and wood blocks. Membranophones generate sound through a vibrating stretched membrane, with drums such as snare drum, bass drum, tom-toms, timpani, and hand drums like bongos and congas.

Certain instruments combine elements or serve specialized roles. A drum kit is a widely used form in rock, pop, and jazz, combining a bass drum, snare, toms, and various cymbals. In larger ensembles, slagverk sections expand to include timpani and a range of mallet percussion (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel) as well as auxiliary percussion such as congas, djembes, and tambourines.

Playing techniques vary by instrument but typically involve sticks, mallets, or hands. Players control tone, dynamics, and articulation through striking position, force, and choice of implement. Tuned percussion requires reference pitches and can be tuned to musical notes; unpitched percussion emphasizes rhythm and timbre.

Slagverk is diverse across cultures and historical periods. It is taught in schools and appears in nearly every musical genre, from classical orchestras to street music, serving as a fundamental source of tempo, groove, and sonic color.