Essential Elements of Music and Percussion Instruments

Melody

A melody is a succession of sounds that are perceived as a whole. Throughout history, many musical pieces have been composed, and each musical work has a different melody.

Intervals

The varying pitches of the sounds in a melody give it a distinct identity that makes the melody recognizable. Common intervals include:

• Unison
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Fifth
• Sixth
• Seventh
• Octave

Scales

A scale is a series of ascending or descending notes that starts on one note and ends with a repetition of that same note one octave above or one octave below.

Chords

A chord is a composition of various sounds playing at once; it is a combination of three or more notes playing at the same time.

Meter

When we hear a melody, we find that certain accents are repeated regularly; this regularity is called meter.

Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments produce sound when the instrument itself is struck, scraped, or shaken. Depending on the part of the instrument that produces sound, most percussion instruments are classified as idiophones or membranophones.

Idiophone Instruments

In idiophone instruments, it is the body of the instrument that produces sound. They are classified into three groups according to the material—wood, metal, or other materials—used to make the instrument.

Membranophone Instruments

Membranophone instruments produce sound through a vibrating membrane. Percussionists make the membrane vibrate by striking it with their hands or hitting it with wooden sticks called drumsticks or mallets.

Timpani

These have a pedal that is used to adjust the tension of the membrane so the instrument can play specific notes.

Congas and Bongos

These are played with the hands. By using different parts of the hand to strike the instrument and hitting different parts of the membrane, it is possible to obtain a vast variety of sounds.

Unpitched Membranophones

These instruments do not emit tuned sounds. Nevertheless, they play a crucial role in many musical works. They usually have two membranes, one on top and one on the bottom.