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Types of Percussion Instruments

The triangle, rain sticks, claves and maracas are all types of percussion instruments that come from all over the world. Learn more about several types of percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video series.

Series Summary

The triangle is an idiophone type of percussion music instrument. It consists of a bar of metal, primarily steel in modern instruments, bent into a triangle shape. On the triangle instrument, one of the angles is left open and the ends of the bar don't quite touch. This causes the instrument to have an undetermined pitch. A triangle is either suspended from one of the other corners by a piece of thin wire or gut, leaving it free to vibrate or hooked over the hand. It is usually struck with a metal rod or beater, giving off a high-pitched ringing tone. In this free music lesson video a professional musician, Pete Pidgeon, will reveal several types of percussion instruments and explain how they're used. Pidgeon will begin by introducing several instruments that come from various parts of the world. He'll then begin demonstrating how these different instruments are played. In this video series Pidgeon will introduce the Noah bell, sleigh bells, several types of tambourines, the maracas, castanets, zils and even the claves. Watch these interesting videos and begin learning about different types of percussion instruments today.
Listing 1-15 of 15 eHow Videos
  •  Percussion Instruments: Zils

    Zils, or finger cymbals, are percussion instruments that create sounds through vibration and are typically found in the Middle East. Learn more about zils from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Doumbek

    The doumbek, or darabuka, is a Middle Eastern drum that's commonly found in Ethiopia and Egypt. Learn more about the doumbek and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Sleigh Bells

    The sleigh bells are rhythmic percussion instruments that are commonly used in orchestras. Learn more about sleigh bells and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Maracas

    Maracas are percussion instruments that are typically made from gourds. Learn more about maracas and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Claves

    Claves are wood percussion instruments that create sound due to a resonating chamber located on the inside of the instrument. Learn more about claves from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Rain Stick

    Rain sticks are percussion instruments that are traditionally found in Chile, South America and are used for rain ceremonies. Learn more about rain sticks and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Nut Shell Shaker

    The nut shell shaker is essentially a dried out hollowed nut that's used as a percussion instrument. Learn more about the nut shell shaker and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Plastic Half Moon Tambourine

    The plastic half moon tambourine is a contemporary percussion instrument that typically contains a handle that's more conducive for playing. Learn more about the plastic half moon tambourine and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Types of Percussion Instruments

    The triangle, rain stick, and claves are all examples of percussion instruments. Learn more about the types of percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Noah Bell

    The Noah bell is a percussion instrument that's commonly found in India. Learn more about the Noah bell from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Wood Tambourines

    The wood tambourine is a percussion instrument that's used to create a variety of rhythmic sounds. Learn more about tambourines and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Egg & Metal Shakers

    An egg shaker is a contemporary percussion instrument that's made of hard modeled plastic with very small beads. Learn about egg shakers and metal shakers from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Triangle

    The triangle is a percussion instrument that is typically used in orchestras and is struck with a mallet called a beater. Learn more about triangles and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Wood Block

    The wood block, or two-tone wood block, is a percussion instrument that creates sound when hit together due to a resonating chamber. Learn more about wood blocks and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

  •  Percussion Instruments: Single Tap Tambourine

    The single tap tambourine is a percussion instrument that's typically used to create subtle and simple rhythmic sounds. Learn more about the single tap tambourine and percussion instruments from a professional musician in this free music lesson video.

About the Presenter

Pete Pidgeon