Percussion Instruments Throughout History
It is generally agreed amongst anthropologists and archaeologists that other than the human voice, the first musical instruments known to mankind were percussion instruments. After the discovery of the voice as a means of creating sound for aesthetic purposes, percussion certainly followed shortly after. Sticks, hands, feet and rocks were struck in order to create a rhythm to accompany singers and evolved into percussion instruments closer to the types used today. Along with the technologies of simple tools for agriculture and hunting came the developments of more sophisticated drums, with logs being shaped with tools to produce louder sounds and smaller logs being cut into a set of drums which produced different tones.
With time, percussion instruments became more complex. By the 10th century, the kalimba (aka the thumb piano) was in use in Africa. In the Americas, maracas and other percussion instruments were known at least three millennia ago; Australian and Micronesian seed rattles have been in use for thousands of years, as have chimes, gongs and xylophones in Asia. Percussion instruments were used as part of religious ceremonies, for practical communications and simply for enjoyment.
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.
The function of percussion instruments within an orchestra or other musical ensemble varies depending on their design and size. Some instruments produce sounds which can carry melodic or harmonic roles, while others are strictly percussive in nature. Composers and arrangers usually assign the percussion and instruments in the lower register parts which make them work as a team to create a rhythmic basis for the composition.
Drums and percussions as well as bass are known as the rhythm section of the most popular music genres. Most classical pieces written for an orchestra since the time of Mozart and Haydn are schemed to put emphasis on strings, brass and woodwinds. However, time and again they include a pair of timpani (kettle drums) although not played continuously. But moderately, they serve to offer additional accents when needed.
The 1700s and 1800s saw small percussion instruments such as cymbals and triangles coming into use in the orchestral setting, though again largely in a supporting role. It wasnt until later that percussion instruments were accorded a more equal footing with other instruments within the context of the orchestra.
Although not always the center of attention, percussion instruments are indispensible to almost every modern musical genre. Military and marching bands use percussion to provide the rhythm not only for the music being performed, but for the pace of marching soldiers. Jazz is in the minds of many synonymous with the sound of the ride cymbal, the brushed snare drum and the hi-hat " and its hard to imagine rock music in any style without percussion. From rhythm and blues to heavy metal, hip hop, country and other genres, percussion is the backbone of popular music.
There are even musical ensembles which perform works consisting entirely of percussion instruments. The range of percussion instruments is varied enough that compositions can express melody, harmony and rhythm using only percussive elements and of course, these performances are quite a sight to behold. - 18762
With time, percussion instruments became more complex. By the 10th century, the kalimba (aka the thumb piano) was in use in Africa. In the Americas, maracas and other percussion instruments were known at least three millennia ago; Australian and Micronesian seed rattles have been in use for thousands of years, as have chimes, gongs and xylophones in Asia. Percussion instruments were used as part of religious ceremonies, for practical communications and simply for enjoyment.
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.
The function of percussion instruments within an orchestra or other musical ensemble varies depending on their design and size. Some instruments produce sounds which can carry melodic or harmonic roles, while others are strictly percussive in nature. Composers and arrangers usually assign the percussion and instruments in the lower register parts which make them work as a team to create a rhythmic basis for the composition.
Drums and percussions as well as bass are known as the rhythm section of the most popular music genres. Most classical pieces written for an orchestra since the time of Mozart and Haydn are schemed to put emphasis on strings, brass and woodwinds. However, time and again they include a pair of timpani (kettle drums) although not played continuously. But moderately, they serve to offer additional accents when needed.
The 1700s and 1800s saw small percussion instruments such as cymbals and triangles coming into use in the orchestral setting, though again largely in a supporting role. It wasnt until later that percussion instruments were accorded a more equal footing with other instruments within the context of the orchestra.
Although not always the center of attention, percussion instruments are indispensible to almost every modern musical genre. Military and marching bands use percussion to provide the rhythm not only for the music being performed, but for the pace of marching soldiers. Jazz is in the minds of many synonymous with the sound of the ride cymbal, the brushed snare drum and the hi-hat " and its hard to imagine rock music in any style without percussion. From rhythm and blues to heavy metal, hip hop, country and other genres, percussion is the backbone of popular music.
There are even musical ensembles which perform works consisting entirely of percussion instruments. The range of percussion instruments is varied enough that compositions can express melody, harmony and rhythm using only percussive elements and of course, these performances are quite a sight to behold. - 18762
About the Author:
David Zed has been an authoritative figure on percussion instruments for nearly twenty years.
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