Increase your percussion musical instrument knowledge with our educational guides and resources. Instrument history, players, composers and compositions.
What is a Marimba Instrument? The Marimba is a percussion instrument originating from Africa and developed in Latin America, known for its warm, rich sound produced by resonating wooden bars. The bars are arranged like a piano keyboard and are…
What are Claves Wooden Sticks? Claves are a traditional percussion instrument consisting of two cylindrical wooden sticks that are struck together to produce a sharp, resonant sound. Known for their bright, cutting tone, claves are a key rhythmic element in…
What is a Hang Instrument? The Hang is a modern percussion instrument originating from Switzerland, known for its ethereal, melodic sound. Shaped like a UFO, the hang consists of two convex metal shells fused together, with tuned notes arranged on…
What is an Alphorn Instrument? The Alphorn is a traditional wooden horn originating from the mountainous regions of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Known for its long, straight, or slightly curved shape and rich, resonant tone, the alphorn is a natural…
What is a Glockenspiel Instrument? The Glockenspiel is a percussion instrument known for its bright, bell-like sound. Originating in Germany, the glockenspiel consists of tuned metal bars arranged in a keyboard-like layout. Each bar produces a clear, resonant tone when…
What are Tubular Bells? Tubular bells, also known as orchestral chimes, are a set of metal tubes arranged in a row and tuned to specific pitches. Known for their bright, resonant, and bell-like sound, tubular bells are struck with a…
What is a Vibraphone Instrument? The Vibraphone is a unique percussion instrument commonly used in jazz, classical, and popular music. It consists of metal bars arranged like a piano keyboard, which are struck with mallets to produce a resonant, shimmering…
What is a Dhol Instrument? The Dhol is a double-sided barrel drum originating from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, renowned for its deep, vibrant sound. Played with sticks, the dhol is an essential instrument in Punjabi folk music…
What is a Dholak Instrument? The Dholak is a traditional double-headed drum commonly used in folk and devotional music across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Known for its warm, resonant sound, the dholak produces both bass and treble tones, making it…
What is a Daf Instrument? The Daf is a large, circular frame drum traditionally played in Persian, Kurdish, Turkish, and Central Asian music. Known for its deep, resonant sound, the daf has a wooden frame with a single drumhead made…
