Unlike most of the other players in the orchestra, a percussionist will usually play many different instruments in one piece of music. The most common percussion instruments in the orchestra include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes, celesta, and piano.

How do percussionists play their instruments?

A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument.

How many percussionists are in an orchestra?

Musicians in an orchestra or band percussion section are called ”Percussionists”. The modern-day professional orchestra requires 3-5 percussionists.