Percussion is a family of musical instruments that produce sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped. They are some of the oldest and most widespread instruments in the world, found in nearly every culture and tradition. Percussion instruments come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from small hand-held instruments like maracas and tambourines, to large instruments like drums and gongs.

Percussion instruments can be classified into two main categories: tuned and untuned. Tuned percussion instruments produce a specific pitch when struck, and include instruments like xylophones and marimbas. Untuned percussion instruments, on the other hand, do not produce a specific pitch and include instruments like drums and cymbals.

One of the most popular percussion instruments is the drum. Drums are typically made up of a cylindrical or conical shell, which is covered by a membrane called a drum head. The drum heads are usually made of animal skin or synthetic materials like Mylar. When the drum is struck, the drum head vibrates, producing a sound. Different drums can produce different sounds depending on their size, shape, and materials.

Cymbals are another common percussion instrument. Cymbals are made of metal and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They are typically used to accentuate rhythms and provide a bright, shimmering sound. There are several types of cymbals, including crash cymbals, ride cymbals, and hi-hats.

Tambourines are a type of hand-held percussion instrument that are popular in many different styles of music. They consist of a circular frame with metal jingles attached to it. When the tambourine is shaken or struck, the jingles create a ringing sound. Tambourines can be played in a variety of ways, including shaking, striking, and rolling.

Another popular percussion instrument is the maraca. Maracas are a type of percussion instrument that originated in Latin America. They consist of a hollow gourd or plastic shell filled with seeds or beans. When the maraca is shaken, the seeds or beans inside rattle, creating a rhythmic sound.

The djembe is a type of hand drum that originated in West Africa. It has a goblet-shaped body made of wood and drum heads made of animal skin. The djembe is played with the hands and produces a deep, resonant sound. It is often used in drum circles and other group percussion performances.

In addition to these traditional percussion instruments, there are also electronic percussion instruments that use digital sound synthesis to create percussive sounds. Examples include drum machines, electronic drum kits, and MIDI controllers.

Overall, percussion instruments play a vital role in many different styles of music. They provide rhythm, texture, and energy to musical performances and are essential to creating a memorable and impactful musical experience.

Examples of percussion instruments include:

Drum set - A collection of drums and cymbals played by a single drummer.

Xylophone - A tuned percussion instrument that produces a bright, ringing sound.

Congas - A type of drum that originated in Cuba and is played with the hands.

Bongos - A type of drum that consists of two small drums attached together.

Tambourine - A hand-held percussion instrument that has metal jingles attached to a circular frame.

Maracas - A percussion instrument that originated in Latin America and is played by shaking.

Cowbell - A metal percussion instrument that produces a sharp, ringing sound.

Triangle - A metal percussion instrument that produces a high-pitched ringing sound when struck.

Djembe - A hand drum that originated in West Africa and is played with the hands.

Electronic drum kit - An electronic drum kit is a percussion instrument that uses digital sound synthesis to produce drum and percussion sounds, providing versatility and the ability to play quietly with headphones.

When you purchase any percussion instrument from Furtados Music, you can expect to receive a high-quality instrument that has been thoroughly inspected and tested by our expert staff.  Overall, Furtados Music is a reputable music retailer that provides high-quality instruments, exceptional customer service, and a wide range of services to help you make the most of your purchase.