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A musical instrument is an object or device that produces musical sounds. Percussion is defined as the striking of one body against another. Combine the two, and it means a musical instrument such as a drum, bell or rattle that is struck to produce a sound.
Distinguished
Percussion instruments are ones that are struck with a force, so this can include cymbals and gongs. They are distinguished from string instruments, such as the bass, harp and guitar, or wind instruments such as the clarinet, saxophone and flute.
Drums
The most common percussion instrument is the drum. There are also many different types of drums, including African drums, bass drums, pedal drums, snare drums, Indian and Middle Eastern drums.
History
Drums are known to have existed from around 6000 B.C. Certain drums symbolize tribal royalty in much of Africa. They have also been used to transmit messages over long distances in the past.
Unlikely Percussions
Some unlikely percussion instruments include the xylophone, which is struck with a padded mallet, bells, cymbals, a rain stick, maraca, a washboard, bones and even your hands when they make a clapping noise.
Piano Debate
There are differing opinions regarding whether the piano is a percussion or string instrument. Because the key strike force affects the volume, many believe it belongs in the percussion family--an instrument in which sound is produced when one object strikes another.
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