| Percussion is one of the ancient musical | | | | the side. This instrument is played by |
| instruments used by early human | | | | beating the clay surface in one hand and |
| civilizations. These instruments are widely | | | | moving the other hand on the hole and mouth |
| used not only for musical purposes but also | | | | producing magnificent sound effects. Gadam is |
| as a symbol of cultural and religious values. | | | | a similar type of clay instrument widely used |
| Before shopping for percussion instruments it | | | | in Indian subcontinent while performing |
| is always advisable to understand them | | | | carnatic classical music. |
| properly. | | | | |
| | | | Congas are the widely used Afro Cuban |
| All percussion instruments fall under two | | | | originated percussion musical instrument. |
| broad groups tuned and untuned. Shakers and | | | | Originally congas were made of wood staves |
| hand drums that produce undefined pitches | | | | and calfskin heads. Synthetic and fiberglass |
| belong to untuned category where as marimbas, | | | | shells are used in modern congas which |
| steel pans, and xylophone that creates | | | | results in louder volume projection. Congas |
| defined tonal ranges falls under tuned | | | | are normally associated with other two types |
| category. Today a variety of percussion | | | | of drums named tumba and quinto. Usually |
| instruments are available in the market. | | | | these three instruments come as a set and are |
| | | | kept in conga gig bags or cases for better |
| It is widely believed that the percussion | | | | performance. |
| instruments are originated from African | | | | |
| continent symbolizing their ancient culture. | | | | Bongos are another kind of small hand drums |
| Djembe is one of the earliest versions of | | | | originated from Cuba and are played in |
| percussions. It is basically a large | | | | sitting position keeping the instrument |
| goblet-shaped drum carved of wood and fitted | | | | between the legs. Timbales were originally |
| with animal skin. This instrument is played | | | | iron vessels used in transporting sugarcanes. |
| using bare hands and sometimes with sticks. | | | | Steel or brass is used in modern timbales to |
| Djembe is gaining popularity among western | | | | produce powerful cutting tone which is |
| music lovers recently. | | | | suitable for any music styles like rock, |
| | | | Latin and fusion. |
| The thumb piano is a melodic percussion | | | | |
| musical instrument having a carved wooden | | | | The xylophone is a kind of tuned percussion |
| body and flattened nails or similar metals as | | | | instrument made of wooden bars of various |
| keys. Tama or talking drum is tied with | | | | lengths with vibrating tubes below them with |
| vertical strings across the body to produce | | | | piano like keyboards. |
| changed pitches. It is believed to talk with | | | | |
| skilled players while playing with curved | | | | Wooden, rubber or plastic headed mallets are |
| stick. | | | | used to play such instruments. Xylophones are |
| | | | used in variety of music styles including |
| Udu is a pot shaped percussion instrument | | | | ethnic, jazz and classical. |
| made of clay with narrow mouth and a hole in | | | | |