Percussion Information and Facts

Definition

History

A-Z of Percussion Instruments

Percussion Therapy

Definition

A percussion instrument is defined as an instrument 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 symbolise 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.

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.

Contact us for more information

"Music making for everyone ..."

www.percussion4u   Home  | About Us
Our Services Schools and Colleges | Corporate and Professional 
Community and Youth Groups | Private Tuition  | P4U Instrument Shop | Samba Workshops
 Resources and Information   Percussion Facts and Information | Drumming Therapy |Sitemap |Contact Us