The most common percussion instrument is the drum, but there are many other types of percussion instruments. Sticks are used to strike triangles, cowbells, wood blocks, claves, and cymbals, while maracas and gourds are shaken to produce sound. Although the piano is classified as a keyboard instrument, it is also classified as percussion because strings are struck to produce sound when keys are pressed.
Percussion instruments can be made out of everyday items. The percussion family includes any object that makes a sound when scraped, hit, or shaken. When a jar filled with shells or pebbles is shaken to produce sound, it becomes a rattle, and a hollow log beaten with a club becomes a drum. Babies enjoy the sounds of their playful percussion when they bang toys against furniture.
Aside from the piano, some percussion instruments can produce different notes. Steel drums, hand bells, timpani, glockenspiel, and xylophone are examples of tuned percussion instruments. The majority of percussion instruments are untuned and can only play a single note.
Finger cymbals and castanets are worn on the fingers and struck together to create a rhythm. A person who plays these tiniest percussion instruments is then free to dance. Sound is produced by shaking tambourines and rattles, which are small enough for some performers to play a rhythm while dancing.
Drums come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Hand drums, also called frame drums, are one of the oldest types of percussion instruments. Many different cultures have made use of them. The hand drum was used in Native American ceremonies, and the bodhran was invented by the Irish to beat out the rhythm of jigs and reels.
To make a sound, hand drums are held in one hand and struck with a beater or the other hand. Animal skin was stretched over a shallow wooden frame to create the first frame drums. Hand drums with synthetic skins are also available, and these are still in use today. In humid conditions, animal skins stretch, interfering with sound, whereas synthetic heads keep their tone regardless of the weather.
Drum sets are used by many serious percussionists. A basic kit, also known as drum sets or trap sets, includes a snare drum with two drumsticks, cymbals struck with a drumstick, and a bass drum. The bass drum is controlled by a foot pedal, which frees up both hands to play other instruments.