Best
Xylophone
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Overall: Suitable for most styles of music from orchestral works through to wind bands and brass bands
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Best Feature: Exclusive Yamaha tuning method ensures true pitch and full sound
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TedScoreâ„¢: 8/10
Best
Tubular Bells
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Overall: Perfectly suited for large symphonic works and Brass tubes with a clear lacquer coating,
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Best Feature: Boasts a new innovative hanger unit and suspension system, suited for large symphonic works
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TedScoreâ„¢: 9/10
Best
Marimba
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Overall: The durable frame's lower crossbar support maintains stability and, therefore, playability
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Best Feature: Compact size fits well in rehearsal setting or where space/storage is limited
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TedScoreâ„¢: 9/10
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of the percussion family? If you’re curious about the unique sounds and rhythms percussion instruments bring to traditional music, you’ve come to the right place: Our Percussion Instruments List!
From the classic drums and cymbals to the more obscure guiro and rainstick, a whole world of percussion is waiting to be explored!
But what exactly is a percussion instrument? Well, it’s any musical instrument that produces sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped. And there are plenty of different types out there!
In fact, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of percussion instruments for you to check out.
So come along for the ride and discover the fascinating world of percussion instruments!
Classification of Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments are typically divided into two groups: membranophones and idiophones.
Membranophones
Membranophones are percussion instruments with drum sticks that produce sound by striking a stretched membrane. The membrane can be made of animal skin or synthetic material.
The most well-known membranophone is the drum. Drums come in many different shapes and sizes and can be played with hands or sticks.
Other examples of membranophones include:
Timpani
Bongos
Congas
Djembe
Taiko drums
Idiophones
Idiophone percussion instruments produce sound by vibrating the entire instrument. These instruments do not have membranes or strings.
Instead, they’re made of solid materials that vibrate when struck. The most well-known idiophone is the cymbal. Cymbals are made of metal and come in many different sizes and shapes.
Other examples of idiophones include:
Tambourine
Xylophone
Maracas
Cowbell
Triangle
Percussion Instruments in the Orchestra
One of the most critical sections of the orchestra is the percussion section, which provides the beat and rhythm that keeps the music moving and adds interest and variety to the sound. Let’s look at some of the percussion instruments commonly used in the orchestra.
Timpani
Snare Drum
Cymbals
Bass Drum
Triangle
Glockenspiel
Tubular Bells
Pitched and Unpitched Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments can be broadly classified into two categories: pitched and unpitched.
Pitched percussion instruments produce musical notes of one or more pitches, while unpitched percussion instruments produce sounds of indeterminate pitch. In this section, we’ll look at some of the most popular examples.
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Marimba
Celesta
Gongs
Claves
Percussion Instruments in Popular Music
When it comes to popular music, percussion instruments play a crucial role in creating the rhythm and groove of a song. This section will explore some of the most popular percussion instruments in popular music.
Drum Kit
Conga
Bongos
Maracas
Steel Drum
Top 5 Tuned Percussion Instruments
COMES WITH: Exclusive Yamaha tuning method ensures true pitch and full sound
FEATURES: Graduated bars produce a full tone and projection
Yamaha YX35G Xylophone, 3.5 Octaves
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Height adjustable frame provides extra comfort
- The frame is compact which is great for a travelling musician
- Suitable for most musical styles from orchestral works through to wind bands and brass bands
- Smaller bars create a lesser quality tone and dynamic range
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
COMES WITH: High-carbon steel materials treated with a unique tempering process create a pure, bright tone
FEATURES: Nodal point support string with single pin bar mounting increase sustain and maximize resonance
Yamaha YG250D Glockenspiel, 2.5 Octaves
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Includes rectangular case and me-101 mallet
- Full F57-C88 range satisfies more repertoire requirements
- Stand not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
COMES WITH: Padauk wood bars provide natural wood sound and feel
FEATURES: Graduated bars produce a full tone and projection throughout the instrument's range
Yamaha YM1430 Marimba, 4.3 Octaves
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Compact size fits well in rehearsal setting or where space/storage is limited
- Height adjustable frame allows the most comfortable playing position for all players
- Sound quality is not as good as Honduras rosewood bars
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
COMES WITH: Boasts a new innovative hanger unit and suspension system
FEATURES: Brass tubes with a clear lacquer coating
Yamaha YCH6018 Tubular Bells
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Perfectly suited for large symphonic works
- Redesigned damper box and rod clamp system
- Mallets not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
COMES WITH: Premium bundle containing 23", 26", 29" and 32" Orchestral Timpani
FEATURES: Lightweight and rugged fibreglass bowls
WHD COMPLETE TIMPANI DRUM SET
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Provide a cost-effective alternative to copper bowled timpani without compromising on quality
- Also includes protective covers and pairs of Timpani mallets
- Mallets not included
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
Percussion Instruments List
Summary
And there you have it! You’ve just taken a deep dive into the world of percussion instruments. From the most common percussion instruments like drums and cymbals to the more obscure guiro and rainstick, a whole world of percussion awaits exploring.
No matter your level of experience, percussion instruments are a crucial part of any music genre. They bring life and energy to a piece of music, making it more exciting and engaging for the listener.
So, as you move forward in your musical journey, remember to keep an open mind and experiment with different instruments.
With practice, dedication, and fun, you can become a skilled percussionist and add your unique sound to any musical ensemble.
Happy drumming!
Wait, there’s more!!!
Get ready to rock out with the ultimate guide to the top drum set brands in the world – your one-stop shop for all things percussion!
Go here to find out more: 10 Best Drum Set Brands – The Ultimate Guide
FAQ's
Some examples of percussion instruments are drums, cymbals, maracas, tambourines, xylophones, castanets, triangles, cowbells, gongs, and timpani. They produce sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped.
The three percussion categories are idiophones, membranophones, and chordophones. Idiophones produce sound by vibrating their own body, membranophones produce sound by striking a membrane, and chordophones produce sound by vibrating a string.
It’s difficult to determine the exact number of percussion instruments, as new ones are constantly being developed and invented. However, hundreds of different types of percussion instruments are used in various music genres worldwide.
Determining the most popular percussion instrument is difficult, as it varies greatly depending on the music genre and cultural context. However, the drum kit, which consists of various drums and cymbals played simultaneously, is a widely recognized and popular percussion instrument in many music genres.