Percussion.
The percussion section is the biggest in the Orchestra. It is made up of a variety of different instruments that make a sound when they are hit. Percussion instruments separated into tuned and untuned instruments. Tuned instruments like the piano, timpani or xylophone can play notes at different pitches. Untuned percussion instruments such as the cymbals and gong, have no definite pitch and instead focus purely on rhythm and expression.
The percussion sections adds life and excitement to the orchestra and the players in this section often play multiple instruments at a time.
Some common instruments found in the percussion family include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, maracas, tambourine and gong. The percussion section also includes the piano.
Meet some instruments in the percussion section
Snare Drum.
The Snare Drum is an untuned instrument.
It is a small drum, with a set of wire-wrapped strings stretched across one side which gives the drum a rattling sound. Snare Drums are often used in military music, especially in marching bands. Snare drums have a distinct tone colour and are famous for drumrolls.
Triangle.
The Triangle is a delicate instrument often featured in Christmas Music. It is a small metal instrument and creates a ringing sound when struck. Can you believe that Concertos have been written for triangle?
Gong.
The Gong is a big metal plate. Similar to a Cymbal, the gong creates a long ringing sound that resonates long after it is struck. The Gong has a big dynamic range and can be very loud or quite delicate.
Bass Drum.
The Bass Drum is the biggest instrument in the percussion section. It is an untuned drum and, like the snare drum, is often featured in military and marching band music. The Bass Drum can make sounds like thunder, and can be heard above the whole orchestra.
Xylophone.
The xylophone is a tuned percussion instrument and can play almost as many notes as the piano. The xylophone has metal keys. This creates a right, bell-like tone quality. There are lots of different types of xylophone, including the marimba, and the glockenspiel.
Tambourine.
The Tambourine is a small instrument that combines a drum and cymbal into one. When the tambourine is struck by its player, it creates a metal jingling sound often associated with Christmas Music. Tambourines are also often featured in pop groups and rock bands.
Maracas.
The maraca is another untuned percussion instrument. Maracas are oftfen made of wood, and they are filled with rice, dried seeds of tiny beads. When the maraca is struck, the contents move around in the wood to create a rain-like sound.
Cymbals.
The Cymbals are two giant pieces of metal that when hit together, create an enormous crashing effect. Cymbals are often heard in the finale of Orchestral Music when the whole Orchestra plays together. The bigger the cymbal, the lower the sound they will create.
Timpani.
Timpani are tuned drums. The timpani can change pitch by altering how tightly the skin is stretched across the top of drum. Timpani are naturally very resonant, and support the rhythm, melody and harmony of the Orchestra.
