"Percussion" means to strike a solid object against another with a degree of force, while "instrument" in this context means a tool or device that produces musical sounds. Therefore, a "percussion instrument" is a tool used to create musical notes or beats when the instrument player strikes it.

Examples of percussion instruments would include drums, electric drums, xylophones, marimbas, triangles, cymbals, and tambourines. Some of these instruments are rhythmic and play beats like drums, electric drums, cymbals, and tambourines. The others on the list, xylophones, marimbas, and triangles, can play notes when struck.

Example sentences

  1. He said he plays a percussion instrument, but I didn't expect it to be a marimba!
  2. There is still an ongoing debate about whether the piano is a percussion or string instrument.
  3. My sister wants to learn a percussion instrument to become better at keeping a steady beat.
  4. The percussion instruments in the orchestra were able to project loudly throughout the venue.
  5. The glockenspiel is a percussion instrument that is composed of metal bars and struck with mallets, much like a marimba.
  6. Because she had played a percussion instrument for 12 years, she easily excelled at the rhythm game and beat us all.
  7. Percussion instruments like full acoustic drum sets can be difficult to transport and travel with.
  8. I didn't know that box was a percussion instrument called a cajón.
  9. My neighbors complained about the loud sound of my percussion instruments which I played in my garage.
  10. The acoustic drums are the most popular percussion instruments.

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Reference:

Percussion instrument | Definition, Types, History, Examples, & Facts
Percussion instrument, any musical instrument belonging to either of two groups, idiophones or membranophones. Idiophones are instruments whose own substance vibrates to produce sound (as opposed to the strings of a guitar or the air column of a flute); examples include bells, clappers, and