Classification of percussion instruments

There are several complementary schemes of classification of percussion instruments.

Hornbostel–Sachs

Hornbostel–Sachs classification does not use the term percussion in its high level grouping.

Having no explicit category for percussion as normally understood, Hornbostel–Sachs places nearly all percussion instruments in the high level categories of membranophones (drums and similar) and idiophones {cymbals, bells, xylophone-like instruments and similar]]. A few instruments that are sometimes considered percussion are classified as chordophones (such as the hammered dulcimer) and as aerophones (such as the samba whistle). Conversely, the members of the Hornbostel–Sachs categories of idiophone and membranophone nearly all fall clearly or loosely into the conventional category of percussion.

Hornbostel–Sachs does use the term percussion, but only to divide the third-level category directly struck idiophones into percussion idiophones, those beaten with a hand or beater such as a suspended cymbal, and concussion idiophones, those beaten together in pairs such as clash cymbals.

Hornbostel–Sachs does not distinguish between pitched and unpitched instruments.

Pitched and unpitched

Main article: Unpitched percussion instrument

Percussion is traditionally divided into pitched percussion, which produces a sensation of pitch, and unpitched percussion, which does not. Some instruments, such as [[bell {instrument)|]]s, are commonly used in both roles.

The traditional terms tuned percussion and untuned percussion have fallen from favour.

See also

• List of percussion instruments
• Percussion instrument

References

((Percussion-instrument-stub}}