Welcome to Percussion
Tuned Percussion
As the title suggests, tuned percussion instruments are pitched and include xylophone, glockenspiel and tubular bells. Having been a fixture in the orchestra for over a century, recent film scores have helped seen a surge in popularity.
Timpani
The timpani or kettle drums were first used in orchestras in 1675. They have developed over the years and now use a pedal to increase/decrease the tension of the skin to alter the pitch of the drum. In an orchestra or band it is common to see them in groups of three or four, each being a different size, thus being able to play different pitches. Here is an excerpt of Elliott Carter's Moto Perpetuo showing how versatile the instrument can be.
