Percussion Instruments Through the Ages
Anthropologists and historians repeatedly speculate that percussion instruments were the first musical apparatus ever came into being. But with the utmost certainty, the human voice was the first musical instrument, and surely, percussion tools such as feet, hands, rocks, sticks and logs came in second to the on-going evolution of music. When humans developed tools for hunting and agriculture, their knowledge along side with skill, enabled them to produce more complex tools. They use slit drum, made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. For instance, a simple log may have been shaped to generate louder tones (log drum) and may have been pooled to create numerous tones (set of log drums).
With time, percussion instruments became more complex. By the 10th century, the kalimba (aka the thumb piano) was in use in Africa. In the Americas, maracas and other percussion instruments were known at least three millennia ago; Australian and Micronesian seed rattles have been in use for thousands of years, as have chimes, gongs and xylophones in Asia. Percussion instruments were used as part of religious ceremonies, for practical communications and simply for enjoyment.
Several of the percussion instruments used in Western orchestral music came west from the Levant and the Balkans along with returning Crusaders in the 11th-13th centuries. These instruments became widely known in their own right and their designs influenced the work Western instrument makers.
Percussion is categorized by a variety of criteria at times depending on their cultural origin, construction and function within musical orchestration. It is generally referred as 'the hearbeat' of a musical ensemble, often functioning close collaboration with bass instruments if present.
In popular music, a rhythm section of bass and percussion is a staple of the form. While the majority of classical orchestral music is written with the primary role being given to stringed instruments, woodwinds and brass, tympanis also play a part in many compositions, largely as an accent. The rules have changed a little and listeners will find percussion claiming its share of the spotlight in some modern orchestral works.
The 1700s and 1800s saw small percussion instruments such as cymbals and triangles coming into use in the orchestral setting, though again largely in a supporting role. It wasnt until later that percussion instruments were accorded a more equal footing with other instruments within the context of the orchestra.
In almost all types of music, percussion plays a fundamental role. In a military parade, it is the strike of the bass drum that holds the soldiers in step and at a normal speed, and it is the snare that endows that crisp, vital air to the tune of a troop. In traditional jazz, one almost instantly thinks of the distinguishing rhythm of the hi-hats or the ride cymbal when the word "swing" is uttered. In more current popular music genres, it is almost impossible to name at least three or four rock, hip-hop, rap, funk, punk, techno, grunge, alternative and blues songs that don?t have some kind of percussive beat maintaining the tune in time.
Because of the mixture and wide assortments of percussive instruments, it is not unusual to find large musical gathering composed wholly of percussion. Rhythm, harmony and melody are all evident and alive in these musical factions, and in live performances they are quite a spectacle to see. - 23806
With time, percussion instruments became more complex. By the 10th century, the kalimba (aka the thumb piano) was in use in Africa. In the Americas, maracas and other percussion instruments were known at least three millennia ago; Australian and Micronesian seed rattles have been in use for thousands of years, as have chimes, gongs and xylophones in Asia. Percussion instruments were used as part of religious ceremonies, for practical communications and simply for enjoyment.
Several of the percussion instruments used in Western orchestral music came west from the Levant and the Balkans along with returning Crusaders in the 11th-13th centuries. These instruments became widely known in their own right and their designs influenced the work Western instrument makers.
Percussion is categorized by a variety of criteria at times depending on their cultural origin, construction and function within musical orchestration. It is generally referred as 'the hearbeat' of a musical ensemble, often functioning close collaboration with bass instruments if present.
In popular music, a rhythm section of bass and percussion is a staple of the form. While the majority of classical orchestral music is written with the primary role being given to stringed instruments, woodwinds and brass, tympanis also play a part in many compositions, largely as an accent. The rules have changed a little and listeners will find percussion claiming its share of the spotlight in some modern orchestral works.
The 1700s and 1800s saw small percussion instruments such as cymbals and triangles coming into use in the orchestral setting, though again largely in a supporting role. It wasnt until later that percussion instruments were accorded a more equal footing with other instruments within the context of the orchestra.
In almost all types of music, percussion plays a fundamental role. In a military parade, it is the strike of the bass drum that holds the soldiers in step and at a normal speed, and it is the snare that endows that crisp, vital air to the tune of a troop. In traditional jazz, one almost instantly thinks of the distinguishing rhythm of the hi-hats or the ride cymbal when the word "swing" is uttered. In more current popular music genres, it is almost impossible to name at least three or four rock, hip-hop, rap, funk, punk, techno, grunge, alternative and blues songs that don?t have some kind of percussive beat maintaining the tune in time.
Because of the mixture and wide assortments of percussive instruments, it is not unusual to find large musical gathering composed wholly of percussion. Rhythm, harmony and melody are all evident and alive in these musical factions, and in live performances they are quite a spectacle to see. - 23806
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