From cajons and djembes to bongos, congas, cowbells, shakers and tambourines, percussion can work in almost any musical setting. It's equally at home in an acoustic singer-songwriter setup, a Latin ensemble, a drum kit, a recording studio or a live band.
In this guide, we'll explain the most popular types of percussion, what they sound like, how they're played and what to look for when choosing one.
From cajons and djembes to bongos, congas, cowbells, shakers and tambourines, percussion can work in almost any musical setting. It's equally at home in an acoustic singer-songwriter setup, a Latin ensemble, a drum kit, a recording studio or a live band.
In this guide, we'll explain the most popular types of percussion, what they sound like, how they're played and what to look for when choosing one.
Percussion is a broad family of instruments that produce sound when they're struck, shaken, scraped or otherwise activated. Some percussion instruments produce definite musical notes, while others create rhythmic sounds and textures without a specific pitch.
That's what makes percussion so versatile. A single shaker can add movement to an acoustic track, while a pair of congas can provide the rhythmic foundation for an entire Latin ensemble.
Percussion can also be used to expand a conventional drum kit. A cowbell, tambourine, block or other auxiliary instrument can give a drummer a completely different sound without requiring a new drum kit.
A cajon is a box-shaped percussion instrument played primarily with the hands. You sit on the cajon and strike its front playing surface to produce different sounds.
Many modern cajons feature internal snare wires, giving them a combination of deep bass and sharp, snare-like tones.
The centre of the playing surface produces a deep bass sound, while the edges create brighter tones and slaps. Snare-equipped models add extra buzz and attack.
Cajons are played with your hands, fingers and palms. Striking different areas of the front panel produces different tones, allowing you to create bass drum, snare and percussion-style patterns from a single instrument.
Consider the snare system, playing surface, size and build quality. A snare-equipped cajon is a versatile choice for beginners, while snareless models offer a more natural, woody character.
Bongos are a pair of small drums joined together by a central block. They're closely associated with Afro-Cuban and Latin music but are also widely used in pop, jazz and acoustic music.
The smaller macho drum produces a higher pitch, while the larger hembra provides a deeper tone. Players can also create open, muted and slap sounds.
Bongos are played with the hands and fingers. Different striking techniques allow you to move quickly between the two drums and create detailed rhythmic patterns.
Consider wood or synthetic shells, natural or synthetic heads, drum size and tuning hardware. Wood generally provides a warm character, while synthetic materials can offer greater durability.
Congas are tall, single-headed drums with barrel-shaped shells. They're an important part of Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion and are also widely used in pop, funk and jazz.
Congas can produce deep bass tones, resonant open tones and sharp slaps. Using several different sizes gives you a wider range of pitches.
Congas are played with the hands, fingers and palms. Different techniques create bass, open, muted and slap sounds, allowing players to build complex rhythms.
Consider drum size, shell material, head material and stands. Larger drums produce deeper tones, while wood generally gives a warm, traditional sound.
Shakers and tambourines are simple but extremely effective percussion instruments. They're ideal for adding rhythmic movement and texture without taking up much space.
Shakers provide a continuous rhythmic texture, while tambourines offer a brighter, more pronounced sound through their metal jingles.
Shakers are played using controlled wrist movements, while tambourines can be shaken or struck with the hand. Some models can also be mounted or played with your foot.
Think about material, size and playing style. Different materials produce different tones, while compact models are particularly useful for travelling and live performance.
Cowbells are metal percussion instruments commonly used in Latin music and drum kits. They're particularly useful for adding sharp rhythmic accents.
Cowbells have a distinctive, cutting attack. Larger bells generally produce lower tones, while smaller bells tend to sound higher and brighter.
Cowbells are normally played with a drumstick or percussion beater. They can be held by hand or mounted alongside a drum kit.
Consider size, material and mounting options. Make sure the cowbell is compatible with your existing percussion hardware if you plan to mount it.
Woodblocks and claves provide sharp, clearly defined wooden percussion sounds. Claves are played by striking two sticks together, while woodblocks are struck with a beater.
Claves have a short, bright click, while woodblocks tend to offer a fuller and more resonant sound. Modern synthetic blocks can provide a louder, more consistent alternative.
Claves are played by striking one stick against the other. Woodblocks and modern jam blocks are normally played with a drumstick or percussion beater.
Consider material, pitch, size and mounting options. Smaller blocks tend to produce higher sounds, while larger blocks offer a deeper tone.
Chimes consist of a series of suspended metal tubes and are used to create shimmering, atmospheric percussion sounds.
Chimes produce a sustained, cascading sound with multiple pitches. They're particularly effective for transitions and adding atmosphere to performances and recordings.
A beater is normally run across the tubes to create the characteristic cascading sound. Individual tubes can also be struck for more controlled effects.
Consider the number of tubes, size, materials and mounting requirements. Larger chimes generally provide greater projection and sustain.
The djembe is a goblet-shaped hand drum originating from West Africa. It's capable of producing a wide range of tones and is popular in world music, acoustic performance and group drumming.
A djembe can produce deep bass tones, clear mid-range tones and sharp slaps. The combination gives it a highly expressive sound from a single drum.
Djembes are played with the hands, using different parts of the fingers and palms to create different sounds. They can be played sitting down or standing with a suitable strap.
Look at the shell material, head material, size and tuning system. Wooden drums offer a traditional character, while synthetic designs can provide greater durability and tuning stability.
If you're not sure where to start:
The best percussion instrument is ultimately the one that fits the music you're making. Start with one or two instruments you enjoy playing, then build your setup as your style develops.
These aren't something we normally stock, but we can definitely get our hands on them. Just reach out to our drum team for any enquiries!
What is the easiest percussion instrument to learn?
A shaker, tambourine or cajon is a great starting point. They're easy to pick up and don't require much prior experience.
What's the difference between bongos and congas?
Bongos are smaller and higher-pitched, while congas are larger and produce deeper, more resonant tones.
Do I need drumsticks to play percussion?
Not always. Cajons, bongos, congas and djembes are primarily played with your hands, while instruments such as cowbells and woodblocks are usually played with beaters.
Can I add percussion to a drum kit?
Yes. Cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and other auxiliary percussion can be mounted alongside a drum kit.
