Concert Bass Drum
The bass drum was imported from the Middle East. There are three types of bass drums. The orchestral, or concert bass drum, is the biggest drum in the orchestra. The kick drum, as part of a drum kit, and the third type, the pitched bass drum, used in marching bands and drum corps. The bass drum was imported from the Middle East.
Bodhran
The bodhran is an Irish frame drum ranging from 10" to 26" in diameter. The sides of the drum are 3½" to 8" deep. It has a goatskin head on one side, the other side is open ended to allow a hand to be placed against drum head to control the sound.
Crash Cymbals
A crash cymbal is known for it's "crash" sound, and is used mainly for accents. They vary in size and thickness, and drummers may have several on their drum kit.
Gong
A gong is an Asian percussion instrument in the shape of a flat metal disc, made of bronze or brass, which is hit with a mallet.
There are three types, suspended, played vertically, Bossed gongs are suspended and played horizontally. Bowl gongs are bowl-shaped, rest on cushions and more closely resemble a bell.
There are three types, suspended, played vertically, Bossed gongs are suspended and played horizontally. Bowl gongs are bowl-shaped, rest on cushions and more closely resemble a bell.
Marching Snare
Marching snare drums are deeper in size than other snare drums. This makes for a big, full sound necessary for outdoor use.
Tam Tam
Also known as a chau gong or bullseye gong. It is suspended and have become common in symphony orchestras.
Tenor Drum
A tenor drum is a cylindrical drum that is higher pitched than a bass drum, close in size to a marching snare, but without snares and played with soft mallets or hard sticks.
Rainstick
The rainstick is made from a long, hollow tube filled with pebbles or beads. Walls of the tube are filled with nails, cactus needles, thorns, or tooyhpicks. When the stick is turned over, it produces the sound of falling rain.
Agogo
An agogo is a single or multiple bell that is now worldwide, but originated in Yoruba music. The agogo is quite possibly the oldest samba instrument and has the highest pitch of any of the percussion instruments.
Bell Tree
A bell tree consists of vertically placed inverted metal bowls. Placed on a vertical rod, the bowls are arranged in order of pitch. The number of bowls varies between 14 and 28. The bell tree is often used to make "magical" sound effects.
Bongo Drums
Bongo drums are a Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single-headed, open-ended drums attached to each other. The larger drum is the hembra and the smaller the macho. It is played by hand and is associated in Cuban music with a steady pattern of eighth-notes known as the martillo or "hammer".
Cabasa
The cabasa is a percussion instrument constructed with loops of steel ball chain wrapped around a wide cylinder. The cylinder is fixed to a long, narrow wooden or plastic handle. It provides a rattling sound when shaken or twisted, similar to the sound of a rattlesnake. It is used in Latin jazz, especially in bossa nova pieces.
Castanets
Castanets are percussion instrument consisting of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by a string. They are hand held and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents or a rattling sound. They are traditionally made of hardwood, although fibreglass is becoming increasingly popular.
Claves
Claves are a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of short thick dowels, traditionally made of wood, particularly rosewood, ebony or grenadilla. Newer versions are also made of fibreglass or plastic. When struck they produce a bright clicking noise. Claves are sometimes hollow and carved in the middle to amplify the sound
Conga
The conga is a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum with African roots. It is staved, like a barrel, and is used both in Afro-Caribbean religious music and as the principal instrument in rumba. Congas are common in Latin, Salsa, Merengue, and Reggaeton music, as well as many types ofAmerican popular music. The wide top has the head, or skin, and is played by hand. The resonating hole at the bottom produces lower frequency bass notes.
Cowbell
The cowbell is a percussion instrument used in various styles of music including salsa and popular music. It is named after the similar bell historically used to keep track of cows.
Finger Cymbals
Finger cymbals or zills are tiny metallic cymbals used in belly dancing and similar performances. Consisting of four cymbals, two for each hand. Different sizes and shapes of finger cymbals will produce sounds that differ in volume, tone and resonance. Finger cymbals can be played in several ways, to produce either ringing tones or a harsh "clack" sound.
Flex-A-Tone
The flexatone is a percussion instrument consisting of a small flexible metal sheet suspended in a wire frame ending in a handle. A wooden knob mounted on a strip of springy metal is on each side of the metal sheet. The player holds the flexatone in one hand with the palm around the wire frame and the thumb on the free end of the spring steel. The player then shakes the instrument which causes the beaters to strike the sides of the metal sheet.
Guiro
The güiro is a Latin-American percussion instrument consisting of an open-ended, hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side. It is played by rubbing a stick or tines along the notches to produce a ratchet-like sound. Playing the güiro requires both long and short sounds, which are made by scraping both up and down in long or short strokes and is usually played by a singer.
Jew's Harp
The Jew's Harp, having no connection with Jewish people, is thought to be one of the oldest instruments in the world. It consists of a flexible metal or bamboo tongue or reed attached to a frame. The tongue/reed is placed in the performer's mouth, and plucked with a finger. The frame is held in place by the teeth, making the mouth resonate.