This is a wide-ranging, inclusive list of percussion instruments.
It includes:
These three groups overlap heavily, but inclusion in any one is sufficient for an instrument to be included in this list. However, when only a specific subtype of the instrument qualifies as a percussion instrument, only that subtype is listed here. For example, a samba whistle (or apito) is an unpitched percussion instrument, but a whistle in general is not.
For brevity, synonyms represented in popflock.com resource by redirects to a main article are not listed, but may be mentioned as a note. Only the main article names are listed in these cases. For example, apito is listed but samba whistle is merely noted as an alternate name. A distinct instrument or type represented only by a redirect to an article section should however be shown. Instruments represented only by redlinks have no popflock.com resource articles as yet but are shown.
See list of percussion instruments by type for some shorter, more focused lists. Use the sorting arrows on the common usage column to group instruments as pitched, unpitched or both. Use the sorting arrows on the Classification column to group instruments according to their Hornbostel-Sachs classification.
Name(s) | Picture | Origin | Common usage | Hornbostel-Sachs Classification | References and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aburukuwa | Ghana | Unpitched | 211 Membranophone | ||
Acme siren | ![]() |
England | Unpitched | Aerophone | |
Afoxé | ![]() |
Brazil | Unpitched | 112.122 Idiophone | |
Agogô | Yoruba | Unpitched | 111.242 Idiophone | Commonly used in Samba. | |
Agung | ![]() |
Philippines | Unpitched | 111.241.2 Idiophone | |
Agung a tamlang | ![]() |
Philippines | 111.24 Idiophone | ||
Alarm device | ![]() |
Both | May be electronic or mechanical | ||
Alfaia | ![]() |
Brazil | Unpitched | 211.212.1 Membranophone | |
Alligator drum | China | Unpitched | 211.2 Membranophone | ||
Angklung | ![]() |
Indonesia | Pitched | 111.232 Idiophone | [1] |
Anvil | ![]() |
Unpitched | 111 Idiophone | A similar-sounding alternative is often used due to the weight of the blacksmith's anvil[2] | |
Apito | ![]() |
Brazil | Unpitched | 421.221.11 Aerophone | Also known as samba whistle. Some apitos produce up to three different tones, but none of these is normally used as a pitched note.[3] |
Ashiko | ![]() |
Yoruba | Unpitched | 211.251.1 Membranophone | |
Atabaque | Brazil | Unpitched | 211.221.1 Membranophone | ||
Babendil | ![]() |
Philippines | Unpitched | 111.242.1 Idiophone | |
Bak | ![]() |
Korea | Unpitched | 111.12 Idiophone | |
Balafon | ![]() |
Mali | Pitched | 111.212 Idiophone | |
Bamboula | Unpitched | 211.212.1 Membranophone | |||
Bara | West Africa | Unpitched | 211.11 Membranophone | ||
Bass drum | ![]() |
Unpitched | 211.212.1 Membranophone | ||
Batá drum | ![]() |
Nigeria | Unpitched | 211.242.12 Membranophone | |
Beatboxing | ![]() |
Both | 4 Aerophone | ||
Bedug | ![]() |
Indonesia | Unpitched | 211.212.1 Membranophone | |
Bell | ![]() |
China | Both | 111.242 Idiophone | |
Bell plate | ![]() |
Asia | Pitched | 111.222 Idiophone | |
Bell tree | ![]() |
Unpitched | 111.242.221 Idiophone | Often confused with mark tree | |
Bendir | ![]() |
North Africa | Unpitched | 211.311 Membranophone | |
Berimbau | ![]() |
Brazil | Pitched | Chordophone | |
Bianzhong | ![]() |
China | Pitched | Idiophone | |
Binzasara | ![]() |
Japan | Unpitched | Idiophone | |
Bo | China | Unpitched | Idiophone | ||
Bock-a-da-bock | Unpitched | 111.1 Idiophone | |||
Bodhrán | ![]() |
Ireland | Unpitched | 211.321 Membranophone | |
Body percussion | ![]() |
Unpitched | Membranophone | ||
Bombo criollo | ![]() |
Unpitched | Membranophone | ||
IndonesiaPitched111.241.2 Idiophone
Bones (instrument) Unpitched111.11 Idiophone Bongo drum
CubaUnpitched211.251.2 Membranophone Boobam United StatesUnpitched211.211.1 Membranophone Boomwhacker
United StatesPitchedIdiophonePlastic percussion tubesBougarabou
West AfricaUnpitched211.261.2 Membranophone Bubon UkraineUnpitched232.311 MembranophoneType of skinned TambourineBuk
KoreaUnpitched211.222.1 Membrarophone Cabasa
Unpitched112.122 Idiophone Cajón PeruUnpitched111.24 IdiophoneBox DrumCajón de rumba
CubaUnpitched111.24 Idiophone Calung
IndonesiaPitched111.232 Idiophone Carimbo AfricaUnpitchedMembranophone Candombe drums
UruguayUnpitchedMembranophone Cannon
UnpitchedPyrophoneUsed in 1812 OvertureCantaro Mexico Carillon
BelgiumPitched111.242.2 IdiophoneA type of bell tower inner workings.Castanets
Unpitched111.141 Idiophone Caxirola
BrazilUnpitchedIdiophone Caxixi
West AfricaUnpitched112.13African basket rattleCelesta
FrancePitched111.222 IdiophoneAs a keyboard instrument, not part of the percussion section of the orchestra[4]Chácaras
Canary IslandsUnpitched111.141 Idiophone Chenda
IndiaUnpitched211.212 Membranophone Chime bar
Pitched111.221 Idiophone Chime (bell instrument)
Pitched111.242.2 Idiophone China cymbal
Unpitched111.24 Idiophone Cimbalom
PitchedChordophone Clapper
UnpitchedIdiophone Clapping
UnpitchedIdiophone Clap stick
AustraliaUnpitched111.11 Idiophone Clash cymbals
Unpitched111.142 Idiophone Claves
Unpitched111.11 Idiophone Clavichord
Pitched314.122-4-8 ChordophoneSound formed by striking the strings, but played as a keyboard instrumentClay drum Cocktail drum
UnpitchedMembranophone Conga
CubaUnpitched211.221.1 Membranophone Cowbell
Both111.242 IdiophoneTuned cowbells are known as almglocken or alpine bells[5]Crotale
Both111.24 Idiophone Crystallophone
PitchedIdiophone Cuíca
DisputedPitched231.11 Friction Membranophone Cup chime
Pitched111.24 IdiophoneThe only pitched cymbal, it is identical to a bell cymbal in all but usageCymbal
Unpitched111 Idiophone Dabakan
PhilippinesUnpitched211 Membranophone, although shape is variously described as goblet, hourglass, conical, or tubular. Daf
IranUnpitched211.311 MembranophoneAlso known as Dafli, Dap, Def, Tef, Defi, Gaval, Duf, and larger ones defi or daireDamaru
South AsiaUnpitched212 MembranophoneType of Pellet drum.Damphu
NepalUnpitchedMembranophone ?àn tam th?p l?c VietnamPitchedChordophoneType of hammered dulcimer.Davul
Unpitched211.212 Membranophone Daxophone
GermanyPitched132.1 Friction IdiophoneBowed percussion invented by Hans ReichelDayereh
IranUnpitched211.311 MembranophoneAlso known as doyra, dojra, dajre, doira, dajrejaDen-den daiko
JapanUnpitched212 MembranophoneType of Pellet drum.Derkach UkraineUnpitched112.24 IdiophoneType of ratchettDhaa NepalUnpitched211.212 Membranophone Dhimay NepalUnpitched211.212 Membranophone Dholak
South AsiaBoth211.222.1 MembranophoneAlso known as dholki, similar to dohlDhol
IndiaBoth211.212.1 MembranophoneThe bass head is pitched, the treble often unpitched, see pitched percussion instruments easily mistaken for unpitchedDholak India Membranophone Dimdi IndiaUnpitched211.311 Membranophone Djembe
MandinkaUnpitched211.261.1 Membranophone Dohol Middle EastBoth211.212.1 Membranophone Dollu
IndiaUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone ?ông S?n drums
Vietnam Bronze drumsDrum stick
Unpitched111.11 Idiophone Dunun
MandéBoth211.212.1 MembranophoneIn ballet style playing, a repeating melody is played on three pitched drumsEgg shaker
Unpitched112.13 Idiophone Ekwe
NigeriaUnitched111.24 IdiophoneA type of Slit drumElectronic drum
EnglandBoth53 Electrophone Esterilla ColombiaUnpitchedIdiophone Ferrinho
Cape VerdeUnpitchedIdiophone Fiddlesticks
Chordophone Finger snapping">
Play media UnpitchedIdiophone Flexatone
Unpitched112.12 Idiophone Flower drum ChinaUnpitchedIdiophone Fontomfrom Ghana Membranophone Found object Frame drum
Unpitched211.3 Membranophone Friction drum
BothMembranophoneA drum where a stick or chord is drawn through a hole in the membrane to make a sound.Galgo KoreaUnpitched211.242.1 Membranophone Gandingan
PhilippinesUnpitched111.241.2 Idiophone Ganzá
BrazilUnpitched112.13 Gbedu YorubaUnpitchedMembranophone Gendèr
IndonesiaPitched111.222 Idiophone Geophone
FranceUnpitchedMembranophone Ghatam
IndiaUnpitchedIdiophone Glasschord
Glass harmonica
United StatesPitched133.2 IdiophoneSpecifically a friction IdiophoneGlass harp
IrelandPitched133.2 IdiophoneSpecifically a friction IdiophoneGlockenspiel
Pitched111.222 Idiophone Goblet drum
Unpitched211.261 MembranophoneGeneric type by construction, see also individual instrument namesGoema South AfricaUnpitchedMembranophone Gong
ChinaPitched111.241.1 Idiophone Gong bass drum
JapanUnpitched211.311 Membranophone Gonguê
BrazilUnpitched111.242 Idiophone Gubguba India 32 Chordophone Gudugudu YorubaPitched211.11 Membranophone Güira
Dominican RepublicUnpitched112.23 Idiophone Güiro
Unpitched112.23 IdiophoneAlso known as scraperHammered dulcimer
PitchedChordophoneListed as a stringed instrument in some classificationsHand bell
EnglandBoth111.242 Idiophone Handchime
Pitched111.231 Idiophone Hand-repique
BrazilUnpitched211.211.1 Membranophone Hang
SwitzerlandPitched111.24 Idiophone Hi-hat
Unpitched111.142 Idiophone Hosho
ZimbabweUnpitched112.13 Idiophone Huiringua Type of slit drumHydraulophone
Hyoshigi
JapanUnpitched111.11 Idiophone Igba UnpitchedMembranophone Ikembe">
Play mediaAfricaPitched122.1 IdiophoneLamellophoneIkoro
NigeriaUnpitched111.24 Idiophone Ilimba ZimbabweUnpitched211.11 Membranophone Jam block
Unpitched111.2 Idiophone Janggu / Janggo / Changgo
KoreaPitched211.242.1 Membranophone Jawbone
PeruUnpitched112.211 Idiophone Jew's harp
China?Pitched121.2 Lamellophone Jhallari
IndiaPitchedChordophone Jingle
Junjung
SererUnpitchedMembranophone Kakko
JapanUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Kanjira
IndiaUnpitched211.311 Membranophone Karyenda
Kebero
East AfricaUnpitchedMembranophone Kecer
IndonesiaUnpitched111.142 Idiophone Kemanak
IndonesiaPitched111.24 Idiophone Kempyang and ketuk
Indonesia 111.241.1 Idiophone Kendang
Southeast AsiaUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Kenong
IndonesiaPitched111.241.2 Idiophone Kepyak IndonesiaUnpitched111 Idiophone Keyboard glockenspiel Pitched111.222 IdiophoneA keyboard instrument, not normally part of a percussion sectionKhim
South AsiaPitchedChordophoneType of hammered dulcimerKhol
IndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Kirikoketa
Basque Idiophone Kiringi Kisanji">
Play mediaCongoPitchedLamellaphone Klong khaek
ThailandUnpitchedMembranophone Klong yao ThailandUnpitchedMembranophone Kpanlogo
GhanaUnpitched211.221.1 Membranophone Kulintang
Southeast AsiaPitched111.241.2 Idiophone Kundu
PapuaUnpitched211.222.1 MembranophonePapuan musical instrumentKus Persia MembranophoneAncient Persian kettledrumLambeg
IrelandUnpitched211.212 Membranophone Lion's roar Unpitched232.11 MembranophoneHas also been referred to as a Chordophone or a Friction drumLithophone
GlobalPitchedIdiophoneEither natural or placed rock formations which produce differing tones when struck.Lujon
United StatesPitched111.222 IdiophoneBass MetalophoneLummi stick Native AmericanUnpitched111.11 Idiophone Madal
NepalUnpitchedMembranophone Maddale
IndiaUnpitched211.222 Membranophonre Madhalam
IndiaUnpitchedMambranophone Maktoum UnpitchedMembranophone Makuta CubaUnpitchedMembranophone Malimbe CongoPitched111.212 Idiophone Mangey Middle EastUnpitchedMembranophone Maraca
Latin AmericaUnpitched112.13 Idiophone Maram (drum)
India Membranophone Marching machine Unpitched111.212 Idiophone[6]Marfa Marimba
GuatemalaPitched111.212 Idiophone Marímbula
CaribbeanPitched122.1 Idiophone Mark tree
United StatesUnpitched111.232 IdiophoneAlso known as a chime tree or bar chimesMbira
AfricaPitched122.1 IdiophoneAfrican musical instrument, a type of plucked idiophone (lamellophone)Metallophone
AsiaPitched111.222 Idiophone Monkey stick
EnglandUnpitched112.12 IdiophoneAlso known as mendoza or lagerphoneMridangam
IndiaPitched211.222.1 Membranophone Musical saw
Pitched132.1 Friction Idiophone Muyu
JapanUnpitched111.24 Idiophone Nagara
Middle EastUnpitchedMembranophone Naqara
MongoliaUnpitchedMembranophoneLarge battle drumNaqareh
Middle EastUnpitchedMembranophone Naqus Morocco Idiophone Ngoma drums
AfricaUnpitchedMembranophone North Drums
United StatesUnpitchedMembranophone Ocean drum Unpitched Octoban
JapanBoth211.211.1 Membranophone Omele Nigeria Onavillu
IndiaPitchedChordophone ?tsuzumi
JapanPitched211.242.1 Membranophone Padayani thappu
IndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Pahu
HawaiiUnpitchedMembranophone Pah? pounamu
New ZealandUnpitchedIdiophoneTraditional Maori gong.Paiban
ChinaUnpitched111.11 Idiophone Paila criolla CubaUnpitchedMembranophone Pakhavaj
IndiaUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Pambai
IndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Pandeiro
BrazilUnpitched211.311 Membranophone Pandero jarocho MexicoUnpitched211.311 MembranophoneOctagonal TambourinePantalon
EuropePitchedChordophoneA type of hammered dulcimer.Parsifal bell Pat waing BurmaPitchedMembranophoneA circle of 21 drumsPellet drum
Unpitched212 Membranophone Piano
ItalyPitchedChordophoneA keyboard instrument, not normally part of a percussion section but listed as percussion in some older classifications, and stringed in othersPixiphone
EnglandPitched111.212 Idiophone Practice pad
Unpitched PlasmaphoneUnited States Pyrophone
Quadrangularis Reversum
United StatesPitched111.212 Idiophone Quintephone
Rainstick
MexicoUnpitched112.13 IdiophoneSubclassed as a combination Shaken Idiophone and Individual friction vesselRakatak Ghana Ranat ek
ThailandPitchedIdiophone Ranat ek lek
ThailandPitchedIdiophone Ranat thum
ThailandPitchedIdiophone Ranat thum lek
ThailandPitchedIdiophone Ratchet
Unpitched112.24 Idiophone Rattle
Unpitched112.13 Idiophone Ravanne MauritiasUnpitched Repique
BrazilUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Ring of bells
PitchedIdiophone Ring-repique BrazilUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Ringing rocks
Idiophone Riq
Middle EastUnpitchedMembranophone Rock gong
Both111.22 IdiophoneA type of constructed LithophoneRototom
United StatesBoth211.311 Membranophoneclassified it as no handle although it is usually mountedSabar
SenegalUnpitchedMembranophone Sakara YorubaUnpitchedMembranophone Salterio
EuropePitchedChordophone Sambal
IndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Samphor CambodiaUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Sand blocks
Unpitched13 Idiophone Santoor
South AsiaPitchedChordophone Santur
IranPitchedChordophoneType of hammered dulcimer.Saron
IndonesiaPitched111.222 IdiophoneSize from smallest to largest is Saron panerus, Saron barung,
Saron demung.
Semantron BothIdiophoneUsed to summon monastics to prayerShekere
West AfricaUnpitched112.122 Idiophone Shime-daiko
JapanUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Shishi-odoshi
Japan Sh?ko
JapanUnpitchedIdiophone Sikulu Congo Silex Piano PitchedIdiophoneLithophoneSinging bowl
HimalayasPitched111.242.11 Idiophone Siren (alarm)
ScotlandBothElectrophone Skrabalai
LithuaniaPitched111.242.222 Idiophone Skull Idiophone Sleigh bells
Unpitched112.112 IdiophoneJingle bellsSlenthem
IndonesiaPitched111.222 Idiophone Slide whistle
BothAerophone Slit drum
Both111.24 Idiophone Snare drum
Unpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Song bells
PitchedIdiophone Sounding stone
China Idiophone Spoon Unpitched111.11 Idiophone Steel pan
Trinidad & TobagoPitched111.241.12 and 111.241.22 Idiophone[7]Also known as steel drumStomp box
Unpitched111.24 Idiophone Stone marimba
PitchedIdiophoneLithophoneSuikinkutsu
Japan Surdo
BrazilUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Suspended cymbal
Unpitched111.24 Idiophone Tabla
IndiaPitched211.221.2 MembranophoneSee pitched percussion instruments easily mistaken for unpitchedTabla tarang IndiaPitchedMembranophone Taiko
JapanUnpitched211 MembranophoneRefers to traditional Japanese drums in general.Talempong
IndonesiaPitchedIdiophone Talking drum
West AfricaPitched211.242.11 MembranophoneHas a sound that mimics the human voiceTambora
Dominican RepublicUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Tamborim
BrazilUnpitched211.311 Membranophone Tamborita calentana MexicoUnpitchedMembranophone Tambour
UnpitchedMembranophone Tambourine
Unpitched211.311 MembranophoneBut the headless tambourine is an idiophoneTan-tan
BrazilUnpitched211.211.1 Membranophone Tap shoe
Unpitched111.222 Idiophone Taphon
ThailandUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Tar (drum) UnpitchedMembranophone Tassa IndiaUnpitchedMembranophoneType of kettle drumTaxi Horn
BothAerophone Tbilat
MoroccoUnpitchedMembranophone Temple block
East AsiaBoth111.24 Idiophone[5][8]Thappu">
Play mediaIndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Thavil
IndiaUnpitched211.222.1 Membranophone Thunder machine (instrument) Unpitched Thunder sheet Unpitched111.221 Idiophone Timbal
BrazilUnpitched211.251.1 Membranophone Timbales
CubaUnpitched211.212.2 Membranophone Timpani
Pitched211.12 MembranophoneAlso called kettle drumsTingsha
TibetUnpitched111.142 Idiophone Tom-tom drum
Pitched211.211.1 Membranophone Tonbak
IranUnpitched211.261.1 MembranophonePersian, also known as tombak, donbak and dombak, and as Tombakh Naar in KashmirTriangle
Both111 Idiophone Triccaballacca ItalyUnpitchedIdiophone Tsuzumi
JapanPitched211.242.1 Membranophone Tsymbaly UkrainePitchedChordophoneType of hammer dulcimer.Tubular bells
Pitched111.232 Idiophone Tumba UnpitchedMembranophone Turntable
Both53 Electrophone Tumdak'
IndiaUnpitchedMembranophone Turkish crescent
UnpitchedIdiophone Txalaparta
BasquePitched111.222 Idiophone Udu
NigeriaUnpitchedIdiophoneAlso classed as an implosive Aerophone.Vibraphone
United StatesPitched111.222 Idiophone Vibraslap
United StatesUnpitched112 Idiophone Washboard
United StatesUnpitched132.1 Idiophone Whip
Unpitched111.11 IdiophoneAlso known as slapstickWhistle
UnpitchedAerophone Wind chime
Unpitched111.232 IdiophoneBorderline as pitched or unpitched, as a melody can sometimes be perceivedWind machine
Unpitched13 Idiophone Wobble board Australia Wood block
Unpitched111.24 Idiophone Xylophone
DisputedPitched111.212 Idiophone Xylorimba
Pitched111.212 Idiophone Yanggeum KoreaPitchedChordophoneType of hammered dulcimer.Yangqin
ChinaPitchedChordophoneType of hammered dulcimer.Yuka CongoUnpitchedMembranophoneMade from a hollowed out avocado trunk with a leather membrane.Zabumba
BrazilUnpitched211.212.1 Membranophone Zatula UkraineUnpitched112.2 Idiophone Zill
Unpitched111.142 IdiophoneAlso known as finger cymbal
Only the more significant subcategories are shown