Percussion Instruments

noun A musical instrument consisting of a slightly concave metal plate that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck with a drumstick or when two plates are struck together.

• The percussionist struck the cymbal with precision during the symphony performance.
• I love the sound of crashing cymbals in a rock concert.
• That drummer really knows how to bang on the cymbals!
• The clash of opinions between the two politicians was like the clash of cymbals in a marching band.

noun a musical instrument consisting of a set of graduated metal bars mounted on a frame and played with small hammers

• The glockenspiel is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned metal bars.
• I love the sound of a glockenspiel in a marching band.
• That glockenspiel solo was lit!
• Her laughter tinkled like a glockenspiel in the crisp morning air.

noun a percussion instrument consisting of a metal disk that emits a sonorous sound when struck with a soft mallet or hammer

• The gong signaled the start of the ceremony.
• I heard the gong go off, so I knew it was time to go.
• When the gong hits, that's when the party really starts.
• The gong of opportunity only rings once, so you have to be ready to seize it.

noun a large, hemispherical drum with a skin or plastic head, used especially in military and marching bands

• The orchestra featured a talented percussionist playing the kettledrum.
• I love the sound of the kettledrum in a marching band.
• That kettledrum solo was lit!
• The kettledrum of impending doom echoed through the battlefield.

noun a musical instrument typically made of a hollow gourd or cylinder with seeds or dried beans inside, used as a percussion instrument in Latin American music

• The musician played the maraca to keep the rhythm during the performance.
• I love shaking the maraca to the beat of the music.
• I found a cool maraca at the flea market for a bargain.
• Her laughter was like the sound of a maraca, infectious and joyful.

noun a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce sound

• The marimba is a percussion instrument consisting of a set of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones.
• I love the sound of the marimba at the music festival.
• Let's jam out on the marimba together.
• Her words danced across my mind like notes on a marimba.

noun a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame with small metal jingles

• The musician played the tambourine during the orchestra performance.
• I love shaking the tambourine during our jam sessions.
• Let's bring the tambourine to the party and make some noise!
• Her laughter was like the jingle of a tambourine, infectious and joyful.

noun a set of kettle drums played by one musician in an orchestra or band

• The orchestra's percussion section includes a set of timpani for the upcoming performance.
• I love the sound of the timpani in that song, it really adds a nice touch.
• Check out the drummer on the timpani, they're killing it!
• The timpani of emotions in her voice resonated with the audience.

noun a musical instrument in the percussion family, resembling a xylophone but with metal bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the sound

• The jazz band featured a vibraphone player who added a unique texture to the music.
• I love the sound of the vibraphone in that song, it's so cool!
• The vibraphone player really brought the vibes to the performance.
• Her laughter had a light, tinkling quality, like a vibraphone in the distance.

noun a musical instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars of different lengths that are struck with mallets to produce musical tones

• The xylophone is a percussion instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones.
• I love playing the xylophone in our school band.
• Let's jam out on the xylophone later, it's so fun!
• Her laughter rang out like a xylophone, filling the room with joy.