ABSTRACT
Percussion instruments are classified into four families: idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, and chordophones. Idiophones, such as cymbals, claves, and triangles are instruments that produce sound by vibrating the entire body. Tuned idiophones include mallet percussion, such as the marimba, where the entire bar vibrates. Membranophones, primarily drums, produce a sound when a membrane is struck. The timpani along with some Latin and marching instruments are examples of tuned membranophones. Aerophones require wind to produce sound (e.g., train whistles, slide whistles, sirens, and bullroarers) are the percussionists’ toys. Chordophones produce their sound by striking a string with a hammer or similar device (e.g., piano and dulcimer). Noted percussion educator Gary Cook adds a category of electrophones that includes electronic percussion such as the drum machine.1
