Percussion Family (Junior Cert Music): Revision Notes

Percussion Family

What is the Percussion Family?

• The percussion family includes instruments that produce sound when they are struck, shaken, or scraped.
• Percussion instruments are used to keep rhythm, add texture, highlight dramatic moments, and enhance the overall mood of a piece.

Where is the Percussion Section in the Orchestra?

• Percussion instruments are placed at the back of the orchestra.
• This is because they are very loud and need to balance with the other sections.

Types of Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments can be divided into two main types:

1. Tuned percussion (pitched)
2. Untuned percussion (unpitched)

1. Tuned Percussion (Pitched)

These instruments produce definite pitches (notes) and can play melodies or harmonies. Examples include:

• Timpani – Also called kettle drums, these large drums can be tuned to different pitches using pedals.
• Xylophone – A wooden instrument with bars arranged like a keyboard and struck with mallets.
• Glockenspiel – Similar to a xylophone but made of metal, producing a bright, bell-like sound.
• Marimba – A larger, deeper-sounding version of the xylophone, often used in orchestras and solo performances.
• Vibraphone – Similar to a glockenspiel but with metal bars and motor-driven resonators for a vibrato effect.
• Celesta – A keyboard instrument that produces a bell-like sound, famously used in Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
• Tubular Bells (Chimes) – Metal tubes that produce a church bell-like sound when struck with a mallet.

2. Untuned Percussion (Unpitched)

These instruments do not produce a definite pitch but add rhythm, accents and dramatic effects to the music. Examples include:

• Bass Drum – The largest drum in the orchestra, producing deep, booming beats.
• Snare Drum – A drum with metal wires (snares) stretched underneath, producing a sharp, rattling sound.
• Bongos – Small hand drums played in pairs, common in Latin and popular music.
• Triangle – A small, metal, triangle-shaped instrument struck with a metal beater to create a bright, ringing sound.
• Maracas – Handheld instruments filled with beads or seeds, shaken to create a rhythmic effect.
• Cymbals – Large metal plates that create a crashing or shimmering sound when struck together or with a mallet.
• Tambourine – A small handheld drum with metal jingles around its frame, played by shaking or striking.
• Castanets – Small wooden clappers, often used in Spanish music.
• Gong – A large, circular metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck.
• Wood Block – A hollow wooden instrument that creates a sharp, clicking sound when hit with a stick.

The Role of Percussion in the Orchestra

• Keeps the beat – Many percussion instruments help maintain the rhythm and pulse of a piece.
• Adds dramatic effects – Instruments like cymbals and bass drums create powerful, dynamic moments.
• Enhances texture – Percussion adds layers of sound, from soft background rhythms to loud accents.
• Supports melodies – Tuned percussion like the xylophone, marimba, and glockenspiel can add harmonies or play melodies.
• Builds tension and excitement – Rolls on snare drums or timpani can create suspense before a climax.

Famous Composers Who Used Percussion

• Igor Stravinsky – Used heavy percussion in The Rite of Spring.
• Ludwig van Beethoven – Featured timpani in Symphony No. 9.
• John Williams – Famous for using percussion in movie scores like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.