percussion Definition
- 1musical instruments that are played by being struck or shaken, such as drums, cymbals, and maracas
- 2the striking of one solid object with or against another with some degree of force
Using percussion: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "percussion" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The percussion section of the orchestra includes drums, cymbals, and xylophones.
Example
He added some percussion to the track to give it more energy.
Example
The sound of the percussion echoed through the concert hall.
percussion Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with percussion
percussion instruments that can play specific pitches, such as xylophones and marimbas
Example
The tuned percussion section played a beautiful melody.
percussion instruments that do not have a specific pitch, such as drums and cymbals
Example
The drummer played the unpitched percussion with great skill.
percussion instruments commonly used in Latin American music, such as congas and bongos
Example
The band added some Latin percussion to their song to give it a more lively feel.
Origins of percussion
from Latin 'percussio', meaning 'a beating'
Summary: percussion in Brief
Percussion [pəˈkʌʃn] refers to musical instruments that are played by being struck or shaken, such as drums and cymbals. It can also refer to the act of striking one solid object with or against another. The percussion section of an orchestra includes drums, cymbals, and xylophones. Phrases like 'tuned percussion' and 'unpitched percussion' differentiate between instruments that can play specific pitches and those that cannot.