A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound by being struck with an implement, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by any other action which sets the object into vibration. The term usually applies to an object used in a rhythmic context and/or with musical intent.
The word, "percussion", has evolved from Latin terms: "percussio" (which translates as "to beat, strike" in the musical sense, rather than the violent action), and "percussus" (which is a noun meaning "a beating"). As a noun in contemporary English it is described at Wiktionary as "the collision of two bodies to produce a sound". The usage of the term is not unique to music but has application in medicine and weaponry, as in percussion cap, but all known and common uses of the word, "percussion", appear to share a similar lineage beginning with the original Latin: "percussus". In a musical context then, the term "percussion instruments" may have been coined originally to describe a family of instruments including drums, rattles, metal plates, or wooden blocks which musicians would beat or strike (as in a collision) to produce sound.
The word, "percussion", has evolved from Latin terms: "percussio" (which translates as "to beat, strike" in the musical sense, rather than the violent action), and "percussus" (which is a noun meaning "a beating"). As a noun in contemporary English it is described at Wiktionary as "the collision of two bodies to produce a sound". The usage of the term is not unique to music but has application in medicine and weaponry, as in percussion cap, but all known and common uses of the word, "percussion", appear to share a similar lineage beginning with the original Latin: "percussus". In a musical context then, the term "percussion instruments" may have been coined originally to describe a family of instruments including drums, rattles, metal plates, or wooden blocks which musicians would beat or strike (as in a collision) to produce sound.
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by Crimson Kong October 1, 2019
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There are four types of Percussion instruments:
Mallets: Usually the well known Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel/Bells. The Chimes/Tubular Bells could also be in this category.
Drums: Snare Drum, Base Drum, Toms, Bongos, Congas, Gongs, Drum Kit, Brake Drum, and many more that I don't know.
Auxiliary: Triangle, Shaker, Maracas, Slap Stick, Temple Blocks, Wood Blocks, Claves, Vibraslap, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Chains, Sleigh Bells, and many, many more.
Then there is the Timpani, which is in it's own category.
Despite what other people say about us, we are just as important as other instruments. We can read notes, both Treble and Base Clef. For Marimba, we can read both at the same time in a Grand Staff. Percussion is the unique section that keeps the beat most of the time. If we were the bad people who ignore and annoy the conductor, I don't think we'd exist. Some conductors are Percussionist themselves.
We do not always share the same instruments.
We do not just randomly hit stuff.
Timpani is the only instrument we have to worry about pitch.
Our Instruments have a certain spot where we have to hit. We call this the sweet spot.
There are four types of Percussion instruments:
Mallets: Usually the well known Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel/Bells. The Chimes/Tubular Bells could also be in this category.
Drums: Snare Drum, Base Drum, Toms, Bongos, Congas, Gongs, Drum Kit, Brake Drum, and many more that I don't know.
Auxiliary: Triangle, Shaker, Maracas, Slap Stick, Temple Blocks, Wood Blocks, Claves, Vibraslap, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Chains, Sleigh Bells, and many, many more.
Then there is the Timpani, which is in it's own category.
Despite what other people say about us, we are just as important as other instruments. We can read notes, both Treble and Base Clef. For Marimba, we can read both at the same time in a Grand Staff. Percussion is the unique section that keeps the beat most of the time. If we were the bad people who ignore and annoy the conductor, I don't think we'd exist. Some conductors are Percussionist themselves.
We do not always share the same instruments.
We do not just randomly hit stuff.
Timpani is the only instrument we have to worry about pitch.
Our Instruments have a certain spot where we have to hit. We call this the sweet spot.
by ...Yay... March 1, 2015
Get the Percussion mug.The instance of hitting an electronic device in blind rage in order to restore normal functionality, often resulting in more damage the device (and in some cases the user as well).
by njie April 26, 2016
Get the Percussive Maintenance mug.Instead of using karate, Chuck Norris used persuasia to trick me into loaning him my car for the weekend.
by aiyaa July 27, 2010
Get the Persuasia mug.A comedic pseudonym, typically within engineering circles, for using brute force approach (typically a using hammer, see fine adjustment device) for solving a problem.
by hashaday February 6, 2009
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