While the human voice was unquestionably the first musical instrument known to humanity, archaeologists and anthropologists agree that percussion instruments followed quickly on the heels of this discovery. Percussion was first made with feet and hands, followed by sticks, rocks and whatever else happened to be available. With the invention of tools for use in hunting and agriculture came more advanced drums, as the same cutting tools could be used to turn a hollow log into a slit drum for louder sounds and a set of logs to be cut into a primitive ancestor of the modern drum kit.
Percussion instruments became much more sophisticated after most of mankind settled into agrarian communities and people found themselves with more time on their hands. Percussion instruments became part of religious beliefs, communication devices and tools for creative expression. By 1000 AD and in some cases far earlier, seed rattles and other instruments were used in Micronesia and Australia, djembes and kalimbas in Africa, maracas and drums in the Americas and gongs, chimes and even xylophones in Asia.
Percussion instruments that are displayed in orchestra first came from Asia Minor. In the 15th century, people began migrating east and brought with them numerous instruments. Our percussion instruments got their initial stages there, when the Crusades took back the drums that they found in the Middle East. From then on, evolution of percussion and drums kicked up a notch and assortments of percussion instruments came into being.
Percussion is categorized by a variety of criteria at times depending on their cultural origin, construction and function within musical orchestration. It is generally referred as 'the hearbeat' of a musical ensemble, often functioning close collaboration with bass instruments if present.
In popular music, a rhythm section of bass and percussion is a staple of the form. While the majority of classical orchestral music is written with the primary role being given to stringed instruments, woodwinds and brass, tympanis also play a part in many compositions, largely as an accent. The rules have changed a little and listeners will find percussion claiming its share of the spotlight in some modern orchestral works.
Small percussion instruments became more popular in orchestral works of the 18th and 19th centuries, but the cymbal and triangle among others were again mostly in the background as accents to the other instruments. It was not until recently when composers began to explore the possibilities of percussion in a leading role.
In almost all types of music, percussion plays a fundamental role. In a military parade, it is the strike of the bass drum that holds the soldiers in step and at a normal speed, and it is the snare that endows that crisp, vital air to the tune of a troop. In traditional jazz, one almost instantly thinks of the distinguishing rhythm of the hi-hats or the ride cymbal when the word "swing" is uttered. In more current popular music genres, it is almost impossible to name at least three or four rock, hip-hop, rap, funk, punk, techno, grunge, alternative and blues songs that don?t have some kind of percussive beat maintaining the tune in time.
Some musical groups perform compositions which are written solely for percussion instruments. The versatility of percussion instruments is such that there are instruments which can provide melodic and harmonic voices as well as those which simply provide a beat. Watching one of these percussion ensembles in action is something which is truly amazing to see. - 23815
Percussion instruments became much more sophisticated after most of mankind settled into agrarian communities and people found themselves with more time on their hands. Percussion instruments became part of religious beliefs, communication devices and tools for creative expression. By 1000 AD and in some cases far earlier, seed rattles and other instruments were used in Micronesia and Australia, djembes and kalimbas in Africa, maracas and drums in the Americas and gongs, chimes and even xylophones in Asia.
Percussion instruments that are displayed in orchestra first came from Asia Minor. In the 15th century, people began migrating east and brought with them numerous instruments. Our percussion instruments got their initial stages there, when the Crusades took back the drums that they found in the Middle East. From then on, evolution of percussion and drums kicked up a notch and assortments of percussion instruments came into being.
Percussion is categorized by a variety of criteria at times depending on their cultural origin, construction and function within musical orchestration. It is generally referred as 'the hearbeat' of a musical ensemble, often functioning close collaboration with bass instruments if present.
In popular music, a rhythm section of bass and percussion is a staple of the form. While the majority of classical orchestral music is written with the primary role being given to stringed instruments, woodwinds and brass, tympanis also play a part in many compositions, largely as an accent. The rules have changed a little and listeners will find percussion claiming its share of the spotlight in some modern orchestral works.
Small percussion instruments became more popular in orchestral works of the 18th and 19th centuries, but the cymbal and triangle among others were again mostly in the background as accents to the other instruments. It was not until recently when composers began to explore the possibilities of percussion in a leading role.
In almost all types of music, percussion plays a fundamental role. In a military parade, it is the strike of the bass drum that holds the soldiers in step and at a normal speed, and it is the snare that endows that crisp, vital air to the tune of a troop. In traditional jazz, one almost instantly thinks of the distinguishing rhythm of the hi-hats or the ride cymbal when the word "swing" is uttered. In more current popular music genres, it is almost impossible to name at least three or four rock, hip-hop, rap, funk, punk, techno, grunge, alternative and blues songs that don?t have some kind of percussive beat maintaining the tune in time.
Some musical groups perform compositions which are written solely for percussion instruments. The versatility of percussion instruments is such that there are instruments which can provide melodic and harmonic voices as well as those which simply provide a beat. Watching one of these percussion ensembles in action is something which is truly amazing to see. - 23815
About the Author:
David Zed has been an authoritative figure on percussion instruments for nearly a decade.
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