Increase your percussion musical instrument knowledge with our educational guides and resources. Instrument history, players, composers and compositions.
Kkwaenggwari Instrument Summary The Kkwaenggwari is a small, handheld gong used in traditional Korean music, known for its sharp, high-pitched sound. It has a circular metal body and is played with a wooden mallet. The kkwaenggwari is a key instrument…
Jing Instrument Summary The Jing is a large traditional Korean gong known for its deep, resonant sound. Made from brass or bronze, it has a wide circular shape and is played with a padded mallet. The jing produces a low,…
Dajian Instrument Summary The Dajian is a traditional Chinese percussion instrument known for its deep, resonant sound. It is a type of large drum, typically made from wood and animal hide, and is played with wooden sticks. The dajian is…
Paigu Instrument Summary The paigu is a traditional Chinese percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned drums. Typically, it comprises five to seven drums of varying sizes, arranged in a semi-circle, and is played with a pair of wooden…
Cajón Instrument Summary The Cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, known for its versatile and resonant sound. Played by slapping the front or rear faces (typically thin plywood), the cajón is widely used in Afro-Peruvian, flamenco, and…
The orchestral bass drum is a large, low-pitched percussion instrument known for its deep, resonant sound. It features a large cylindrical shell with drumheads on both ends, which are struck with mallets. The orchestral bass drum is commonly used in…
What is a Xylophone Instrument? The xylophone is a percussion instrument known for its bright and resonant sound, produced by striking wooden bars with mallets. It features a series of tuned wooden bars of varying lengths, arranged similarly to a…
The timpani, also known as kettledrums, are large percussion instruments characterized by their bowl-shaped bodies and tunable drumheads. They are commonly made of copper or fiberglass and are played with mallets. Timpani are essential in orchestras and bands, known for…
The snare drum is a key percussion instrument known for its sharp, staccato sound. It features a cylindrical shell with stretched drum heads on both the top and bottom. Metal wires, called snares, are stretched across the bottom head, producing…
What is a Celesta Musical Instrument? The celesta is a keyboard instrument that produces a soft, bell-like sound. It looks similar to a piano but is smaller and uses metal plates struck by hammers to generate notes. Also known as…
