Increase your percussion musical instrument knowledge with our educational guides and resources. Instrument history, players, composers and compositions.
What is a Darbuka Instrument? The Darbuka is a traditional goblet-shaped drum originating from the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, renowned for its sharp, crisp tones and deep resonant bass. Played with bare hands, the darbuka is a key…
What is a Grand Piano Instrument? The Grand Piano is a large, stringed keyboard instrument known for its rich, dynamic sound and expressive range. It features a horizontal frame and strings, with the soundboard and strings lying parallel to the…
What is a Concert Grand Piano Instrument? The Concert Grand Piano is a large, elegant keyboard instrument known for its rich, powerful sound and exceptional dynamic range. It features a long wooden body, a complex mechanism of strings and hammers,…
What is a Wooden Fish Instrument? The Wooden Fish is a traditional percussion instrument commonly used in East Asian Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. It is a hollow, wooden instrument, often carved into the shape of a fish, and played by…
What is a Repinique Instrument? The Repinique is a high-pitched, double-headed drum originating from Brazil, widely used in samba music and other Brazilian genres. Known for its bright, sharp sound, the repinique is often played with a stick and hand,…
What is a Ganzá Instrument? The Ganzá is a cylindrical shaker percussion instrument commonly used in Brazilian music, particularly in samba and bossa nova. It produces a crisp, rhythmic sound when shaken, providing a steady, percussive backdrop for ensembles. The…
What is a Zabumba Instrument? The Zabumba is a traditional bass drum from Brazil, widely used in northeastern Brazilian folk music. Known for its deep, resonant tone and rhythmic versatility, the zabumba is played with two sticks, one for the…
What is a Cuíca Instrument? The Cuíca is a Brazilian friction drum known for its unique, high-pitched, squeaky sound. Played by rubbing a stick attached to the drumhead, the cuíca produces a distinctive tone that mimics a human voice or…
What is an Atabaque Instrument? The Atabaque is a traditional hand drum originating from Brazil and is widely used in Afro-Brazilian religious ceremonies and music. With its deep, resonant sound and conical wooden body, the atabaque is an essential instrument…
What are Cymbals? Cymbals are a versatile percussion instrument consisting of thin, round metal plates that produce a bright, crashing sound when struck. Used across a wide variety of musical genres, cymbals are prominent in orchestral, jazz, rock, and folk…
