Percussion: Shakers, Drums, and Bells

Percussion instruments make sound when you shake, hit, or strike them.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Percussion: Shakers, Drums, and Bells as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Percussion instruments are musical tools that make sound by being shaken, hit, tapped, or struck. Shakers make sound when tiny pieces inside move around. Drums make sound when you hit a tight surface called a head. Bells make sound when they are struck or shaken and the metal rings out.

Remember the rule

Shake it, hit it, strike it — if that is how it sounds, it is a percussion instrument!

Key words

Percussion: A family of instruments you shake or hit to make sound
Shaker: An instrument you shake back and forth to make a rattling sound
Drum: An instrument with a tight top called a head that you hit to make a booming sound
Bell: A metal instrument that rings when you hit or shake it
Rhythm: A pattern of beats that repeats in music
Beat: The steady pulse you feel in a song, like a heartbeat
Strike: To hit an instrument to make it sound
Head: The tight, flat top of a drum that you hit

Worked examples

Is a maraca a percussion instrument?

→ Yes! A maraca is a shaker. You hold it and shake it back and forth, and the seeds or beads inside hit the walls and make a rattling sound. · Maracas are one of the most common shakers used in 1st grade music class.

How does a snare drum make sound?

→ You hit the tight drum head on top with a stick or your hand. The head vibrates and makes a sharp, crisp sound. · Vibrate means to move back and forth very fast, and that movement is what creates the sound.

How does a triangle make sound?

→ You hold the triangle by its string and strike it with a small metal stick. The metal rings and makes a clear, bright sound. · The triangle belongs to the bells and metals group of percussion instruments.

Can you name one shaker, one drum, and one bell?

→ Shaker: egg shaker. Drum: hand drum. Bell: cowbell. · There are many kinds of each — these are simple ones you might use in class.

If you pluck a string on a guitar, is it a percussion instrument?

→ No. A guitar makes sound by plucking or strumming strings, so it is a string instrument, not a percussion instrument. · Percussion instruments must be shaken or struck, not plucked or blown.

Common mistakes

Thinking only drums are percussion — shakers and bells are percussion too!
Forgetting that bells are percussion because they look different from drums
Shaking a drum instead of hitting it — drums need to be struck on the head to sound right
Thinking louder always means better — good percussion players control how hard they hit or shake
Confusing rhythm with beat — the beat is always steady, but the rhythm can change

FAQs

Why are shakers, drums, and bells all in the same family?

They are all in the percussion family because they all make sound the same way — by being hit or shaken. The sound does not come from a string or from blowing air.

Can I make a homemade shaker?

Yes! Put a small handful of dried rice or beans inside a plastic bottle or a sealed container, close it tight, and shake it. That is a real shaker instrument!

What does a drum head do?

The drum head is the tight surface stretched across the top of a drum. When you hit it, it vibrates very fast and that makes the booming sound you hear.

Are hand claps a percussion instrument?

In a way, yes! Clapping your hands together is a form of body percussion. Your hands strike each other, just like sticks hitting a drum.

Why does a big drum sound lower than a small drum?

A bigger drum head vibrates more slowly, and slow vibrations make low sounds. A smaller drum head vibrates faster and makes a higher sound.

Do I need to be strong to play percussion?

No! Percussion is about control and timing, not just strength. A gentle shake or a soft tap can make beautiful music too.

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