Percussion is most commonly associated with musical instruments such as drums. However, many people may be surprised to learn that it encompasses more than just percussion instruments. In reality, the term refers to any type of musical instrument that makes sounds striking, scraping, or plucking it.
Drums are what most people think of when they think of percussion instruments. This is because drums are frequently used to maintain and accentuate a melody’s beat. The effect is created striking the drum heads with drumsticks, drum brushes, or the fingertips, whether it’s a set of bongo drums, a snare drum, or a full set of drums.
Many people recognize cymbals as percussion instruments in addition to drums. Cymbals can be played independently or as part of a drum set. They’re usually used to help accentuate parts of the melody, and they can also add a dramatic effect to the performance. Cymbals are usually placed at the back of the procession in an orchestra or marching band.
There are a variety of percussion instruments that are simple to learn and master. These simple but pleasant sounding additions to musical performances include the tambourine, tablas (rhythm sticks), and maracas. Both the maracas and the tambourine can be played with one hand, allowing one performer to play both instruments simultaneously. Tablas are usually sold in pairs or with one rhythm stick and a block. All three of these instruments are typically used to keep time with the music, acting as an additional element to the overall sound and collaborating with the drums to keep the musical composition flowing properly.
Percussion is most commonly associated with keeping time striking or shaking an instrument, but plucking strings to create pleasing vibrations is also a part of the experience. The harp qualifies as a percussion instrument in this sense. The melodic vibration patterns created plucking the strings on a harp help to keep the music in a logical flow and draw the listener into the composition.
It’s important to remember that all forms of percussion instruments, whether well-known or regional examples of instruments de percussio, serve as supports to the melody of the musical composition. It is frequently featured in one portion of the work in many genres, despite never being the main focus of the entire musical selection. Percussion is used to emphasize the melody and add a finishing touch to almost every performance.