Percussion

Definition

History

Percussion Therapy

A-Z of Percussion Instruments

Definition

A percussion instrument is defined as instruments made of sonorous material. A vibration produces sounds of definite or indefinite pitch when shaken or struck. The pitch is determined in many different ways. It is done through the tautness of the stretched material for indefinite pitch instruments. The pitch is determined by the size of the objects in definite pitch instruments. Notes are produced by striking the instrument in certain places.

History

Drums are found in nearly every culture in the world and have existed since before 6000 B.C. They've had ceremonial, sacred, and symbolic associations.

The first type of percussion instrument was simply anything hit together to produce sound. Drums evolved from this and are known to have existed from around 6000 BC. They were used by all major civilizations throughout the world.

Percussion instruments have strong ceremonial, sacred, or symbolic associations almost everywhere. Certain drums symbolize and protect tribal royalty in much of Africa. They were also used to transmit messages over long distances.

They also played a major role in medieval and Renaissance Europe. The snare drum and its relatives were used in the infantry to send coded instructions to the soldiers.

Percussion Therapy

Drumming has been, and still is, used down through history by all cultures of the world. Drumming has been a feature of ceremonies such as weddings, births, deaths & harvests etc.

Drumming is good for relaxation, fosters a sense of unity and encourages self-expression, resulting in a more positive self-esteem. A new study by Barry Quinn, a clinical psychologist specialising in neurobiofeedback for stress management, indicates that drumming for brief periods can actually change a person’s brainwave patterns, dramatically reducing stress. He has found that the effect of drumming produces far greater results than any other form of stress management.Click here for more details.

It could also help with team building and enhancing staff retention (See article here)

Drumming is something everyone can do, and requires no musical training. You don't need any specialist or expensive instrument either - anything goes.

Our collection of instruments includes: Ocean drum, bongos, djembes, gong, pandeiros (tambourines), kalimbas (thumb pianos), dholak, pancake and monkey drums, Vibratone, afouche cabasa, glockenspiel, buffalo drum, tambour, bodhran, cymbals, maracas, rainsticks, cowbell, woodblocks, agogo, castanets, tulip woodblock, triangle, bells, claves, finger cymbals, rhythm thang, shakers, dustbin and lid, hammer handles, broom handles etc - all those can be used for percussive groups.

Anything and everything goes for a hand drum - it's possible to improvise with virtually anything.