Information

Percussion

The percussion section ranges around the back of the orchestra and consists of instruments that are struck, clashed, shaken or scraped.  The standard orchestral percussion instruments used to be just the timpani, cymbals and perhaps a side drum.  However, during the 19th century and especially in the 20th century the range of percussion instruments used in the orchestra has expanded. 

These can be split into two main groups, tuned, which can play one or more notes and untuned which produce sounds rather than notes.  A third sub group can also be added to the tuned section as keyboard instruments often get put together with the percussion.

Tuned

Untuned

Keyboard

Percussion players have to be jacks of all trade and are often to be seen moving around the back of the stage and turning their hand to a variety of instruments through one concert.   

Did you know?

Composers in the twentieth century liked to experiment with percussion instruments and the effects different ways of playing them make.  So look out for percussionists using a bow to play a cymbal, or dipping something into a bowl of water to create an interesting sound or perhaps even bringing some unusual objects into the orchestra.

Instruments

The instruments of the orchestra are divided into four main sections. Each section has a distinctive sound and role in the orchestra.

Strings	Woodwind
Brass	Percussion