TheOrchestra-Percussion

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** The Percussion Family ** media type="youtube" key="jFYrdHBSYrI" height="360" width="640" align="center"

__Percussion Instruments__ are instruments that make sound when hit, shaken, rubbed, or scraped. These instruments are generally used for rhythmic purposes only, and called **non-pitched percussion**. However, there are some percussion instruments that can play melody and chords (like the xylophone and glockenspiel) that are called **pitched percussion**. The percussion section sit in the back of the orchestra and though there may be a large amount of different instruments in this section, there is usually only a handful of musicians playing them all because one player may play many instruments during a piece of music. However, the Timpani player usually does not change instruments during a concert. Percussion instruments are the oldest known instruments; the first drum was probably made of a log.

**Okay, lets get this straight. There are PITCHED and NON-PITCHED percussion instruments. What was the difference again?** **Pitched Percussion:**  -can play numerous different pitched. - can play a melody  - Think of this: If you can play "Hot Cross Buns" on it, it is most likely Pitched **Non-Pitched Percussion:**-can play 1 or 2 different pitched- can only play rhythm
 * While you check out all the instruments in this family, try to figure out which ones are Pitched and which ones are Non-Pitched. Good Luck!

** Timpani **

Originally called Kettle Drumes because of their shape.They have metal heads that can be tuned to different pitched.A player can change the pitch of the heads by using a foot pedal.Usually seen in groups of 3-6, though one person plays them all.A Timpanist usually uses mallets and sometimes large beaters to play.Their timbres are metallic, dull, wavy.

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** Bass Drum **



Usually the largest single "drum" in the orchestra.It has 2 heads (one on each side) and one head is hit by a beater.Its timbre is thick, dull, thuddy, and rumbly.

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** Snare Drum **

Most recognizable "drum in the orchestra.It has a set of beads on a chain (called snares) on the bottom head that give it its rattling sound.  When playing a snare drum, a percussionist uses drum sticksThe snare can be turned off with a lever.Its timbre is thinner, bright, bitting, crisp, and rattly.   media type="youtube" key="EuGKVEvqnb0" height="267" width="350" media type="youtube" key="e9r0aQhQSes" height="208" width="350"

** Xylophone **

A set of wooden bars that can play a melody. The bars are set up like keyboard. Each bar has a metal tube (resonator) underneath to amplify the sound. A play uses mallets of different kinds to play the xylophone.The name comes from the Greek language. Xylo = wood, Phone = Sound. It is related to the Marimba. Its timbre is woody, bone like, and thin. media type="youtube" key="vnFOlhCcz3c" height="208" width="350" media type="youtube" key="Yf7ypnJ2J-U" height="208" width="350" media type="youtube" key="tTs5nTBiXt4" height="267" width="350" align="center"

** Glockenspeil ** A set of metal bars that can play a melody. The bars are set up like keyboard. A play uses mallets of different kinds to play the xylophone. The name comes from the German language. Glock = bell, Speil = Sing.Its timbre is bright, piecing, shrill, tinkly, and bell-like.

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** Cymbals, Gongs and Tam-Tams **

Suspended Cymbal:

Clash/Crash Cymbals:

Symphony Gong:

Tam-Tam:

These instruments are all made of hammered out metal. A player usually hits the cymbal, gong, and tam-tam with a stick/mallet. With the Crash/Clash cymbals, the player actually smashes the two cymbals together.

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** Other Percussion Videos: **

Here is a video about the deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie: media type="youtube" key="IlOemXqTOW8" height="315" width="420"

In this video, Evelyn is performing with Linda Bove: media type="youtube" key="SyYXMKtGwGQ" height="315" width="420"

In this video, you will see a rock drum solo by Niel Pert of the Band Rush: media type="youtube" key="GHkucr1jJpQ" height="243" width="420"

Here is the jazz drummer Buddy Rich playing a duet with a famous muppet: media type="youtube" key="n_BmeBfV-O4" height="315" width="420"