You can change the quality of the pitch by using different kinds of mallets hard or soft , and by hitting the wooden bars in different ways. Attached to the bottom of the wooden bars are metal tubes called resonators, where the sound vibrates. This gives the xylophone its bright bell-like sound.
There are several other instruments similar to the xylophone, which are also part of the percussion family. They include the marimba , a larger version of a xylophone with wood or plastic resonators attached to the bottom of the wooden keys, which give it a mellower, more rounded sound, and the vibraphone known as vibes , which has both metal bars and metal resonators, with small rotating disks inside.
The disks are attached to a rod, which is turned by an electric motor. When you play a sustained note on the vibes and the motor is running, the disks create vibrato , or a wiggly pitch.
In addition, percussionists often play a glockenspiel pronounced GLOCK-en-shpeel , which is a miniature xylophone with metal bars instead of wood. The percussionist uses hard mallets to play the glockenspiel, which sounds like clear tinkling bells. Cymbals are the biggest noisemakers of the orchestra. They are two large metal discs, usually made of spun bronze.
Cymbals, which are untuned, come in a range of sizes, from quite small to very large. The larger the cymbal, the lower the sound they make. Cymbals can be used for drama and excitement, to accent the rhythm or create delicate sound effects. You can play the cymbals either by hitting one cymbal against the other, or you can use sticks, mallets or brushes to hit one or both cymbals. You've probably played a triangle yourself at one time or another. It's a small metal bar that's bent into the shape of a triangle and makes a ringing sound when you hit it.
There are many sizes of triangles and each one sounds a different pitch. You play the triangle by holding it on a string and striking it with a metal beater. The size and thickness of the beater can change the sound the triangle makes. The snare drum is a smallish drum made of wood or brass with drumheads made of calfskin or plastic stretched over both ends of a hollow cylinder.
It has a set of wire-wrapped strings stretched across the bottom head the snare , which give the snare drum its unique "rattling" sound when the drum is hit. A small switch on the side of the drum allows the player to turn the snare on or off depending on the requirements of the piece. The snare drum is an untuned drum, so it doesn't sound distinct pitches. It is often used in military music and is a central part of any marching band. Snare drums are used to keep the rhythm and make special sounds, such as drumrolls.
You play the snare drum by hitting the top with drumsticks, mallets or brushes. The bass drum , like the double bass, is the biggest member of the percussion family and therefore makes the lowest sounds.
The bass drum is built like a very large snare drum, although without the snare; it is also an untuned instrument. You play the bass drum by hitting either drumhead with sticks that have large soft heads, often covered with sheepskin or felt. Brushes can add a little bit extra and create a very unique feel within a piece of music. Chimes — these create very light and high pitched, bell like sounds. Chimes consist of cylindrical metal rods that are hung close together on a bar and each will have a different pitch.
Chime bars — chime bars, similar to glockenspiels are tuned metal plates mounted on a wooden resonator. Chime bars can be taken apart individually, therefore involving a multiple players to join in. These are also player with a set of beaters. Claves — usually a pair of quite thick wooden sticks that make a noise when struck together.
Conga — Latin percussion that create a distinctive tone and is similar to bongos and djembes. These drums feature a long body made of wood and the top is made of animal skin. Crash cymbals will usually produce a much sharper, louder sound than normal cymbals and are usually used for accents.
There are many different types of cymbals such as hi hats, crashes, rides, splashes that will all produce a slightly different sound. Cross Stick — cross sticking involves hitting your stick on the rim of the drum to create a unique sound, fairly similar to wood block.
These can also be very popular for drumming along to softer styles of music. Cymbal bell — the centre of the cymbal where it is the thickest. This will often have a different pitch to it.
Djembe — African percussion hand drum creating a unusual tone when played. These are crafted from wood and topped with animal skin, similar to bongos. Hourglass shaped, these drums come in a variety of sizes and colours. Double Bass Drum — particularly popular in progressive rock, heavy rock and different types of metal, this refers to using either two double bass drums or a double bass pedal.
Double Bass Pedal — bass drum that consists of two double bass pedals and two beaters joined together allowing for double bass drumming. These are more popular than using two bass drums at the same time. Drum skin — covers both ends of the drum. There are two types of drum skins — batter skin and resonator skin. Batter skin is the side of the drum that you hit and the resonator skin is at the bottom of the drum that allows for the sound to resonate.
Resonate skins are usually tuned differently to batter skins. Glockenspiel — an instrument from a percussion family consisting of tuned metal plates set out similar to a piano keyboard. Glockenspiels create a twinkly, bell-like sound and can be of a different register.
This instrument is played by a pair of beaters. Gong — a large cymbal that produces a large, shimmering sound, originating from Japan. Gongs are played with large mallets and must be warmed up before they are hit.
Mallets — a stick with a special tip that can be made of fabric, rubber, plastic or wood. Mallets are used to create different and unusual sounds on the drum. You can use these practically anywhere. Maracas — these are handheld percussion instruments that are used just like shakers.
If the strainer is relaxed, the sound of the snare is more like that of a tom because the snares are not present. The rim is the metal ring around the batter head, which can be used for a variety of things, although it is notably used to sound a piercing rimshot with the drumstick. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys.
The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a definite note. Cymbals are used in many ensembles ranging from the orchestra, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands, and marching groups.
The anatomy of the cymbal plays a large part in the sound it creates. A hole is drilled in the center of the cymbal and it is used to either mount the cymbal on a stand or straps for hand playing. The bell, dome, or cup is the raised section immediately surrounding the hole. The bow is the rest of the surface surrounding the bell. The bow is sometimes described in two areas: the ride and crash area. The ride area is the thicker section closer to the bell while the crash area is the thinner tapering section near the edge.
The edge or rim is the immediate circumference of the cymbal. Cymbals are measured by their diameter often in inches or centimeters. The size of the cymbal affects its sound, larger cymbals usually being louder and having longer sustain. The weight describes how thick the cymbal is. Cymbal weights are important to the sound they produce and how they play.
Heavier cymbals have a louder volume, more cut, and better stick articulation when using drum sticks. Thin cymbals have a fuller sound, lower pitch, and faster response.
The profile of the cymbal is the vertical distance of the bow from the bottom of the bell to the cymbal edge higher profile cymbals are more bowl shaped.
The profile affects the pitch of the cymbal: higher profile cymbals have higher pitch. Skip to main content. Musical Instrument Families. Search for:. Percussion Introduction A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles ; struck, scraped or rubbed by hand; or struck against another similar instrument.
Timpani Timpani, or kettledrums, are musical instruments in the percussion family. Listen: Snare Drum The following video gives an overview of playing the snare drum. Listen: Cymbals The following video gives a first lesson in cymbals.
0コメント