Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
Percussion
Family
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
Click
through this Power Point to learn
about the instruments of the percussion
family.
Do
not complete any of the worksheets
yet, that will come later!
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
-
Instruments that are sounded by striking, shaking, plucking,
or scraping—from Greek word “percuss” meaning “to strike”
-
They can be divided into 2 categories

those instruments that produce a definite pitch
(TUNED)
Add rhythm but also match pitch with other
instruments in the orchestra
 those that do not
(UNTUNED)
Used for rhythm or special effects
--- What are some percussion instruments that
do or do not have definite pitch? ---
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Percussion instruments: used for rhythm
Wires attached
called snares
Bass drum
Snare drum
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Percussion instruments: used for rhythm
Tambourine
Castanet
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Percussion instruments: used for rhythm
Cymbal
Triangle
aka “High Hat”
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Percussion instruments: used for rhythm
Vibraslap
Gong
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Melody percussion instruments: used for rhythm and match pitch
Timpani
Xylophone
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Melody percussion instruments: used for rhythm and match pitch
Marimba
Glockenspiel
(aka Bells)
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Melody percussion instruments: used for rhythm and match pitch
Chimes
Celeste
(Looks like piano, but has
bells instead of strings)
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
Melody percussion instruments: used for rhythm and match pitch
Concert Grand Piano
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
NOW WHAT?:
 Complete the “Information on the Percussion Family”
worksheet using the following slides.
 (click through for answers or see what you can do on
your own!)

Once you have finished that, work on the Percussion
Family worksheet (the one with pictures)

Turn in BOTH worksheets when you are finished
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family Worksheet
1. Draw the placement of the percussion family in the
symphony orchestra seating chart as shown below:
Shade in this section!
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
PERCUSSION WORKSHEET:
The Percussion Family
2. The word “percussion” comes from the Greek word
__________.
percuss It means to strike on or against.
Percussion instruments can be _________,
_________,
struck shaken
or __________.
scraped
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
3. Name the two categories of percussion instruments:
Untuned
A. _____________
(having no pitch-only played
as rhythm or for special effects)
Tuned
B. ______________________
(having pitch-being able
to match tones with other orchestral instruments)
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
4. List some UNTUNE PERCUSSION instruments
(those with no pitch)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
snare drum
_________________________
_________________________
bass drum
_________________________
triangle
_________________________
tambourine
_________________________
cymbals
_________________________
gong
_________________________
bongos
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
5. Which one of the percussion instruments produces
a rattling sound due to a set of metal wires on the
snare drum
bottom? ____________________
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
4. List some TUNED PERCUSSION instruments
(those with pitch; play a tune)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
_________________________
xylophone
_________________________
glockenspiel
_________________________
celesta
_________________________
chimes (tubular bells)
_________________________
timpani
_________________________
piano
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
7. What is the only pitched drum in the orchestra?
the timpani
_______________
8. How do you raise or lower the pitch on a timpani?
By pushing the foot pedal up and down.
____________________________________________
9. Which instrument looks like a piano, but has a
the celesta
glockenspiel inside? ______________________
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
10. Why is the piano a percussion instrument?
________________________________________________________
When you press the keys, small hammers inside the
_________________________________
instrument strike the strings.
11. How many keys does a grand piano have? ________
88
12. How are the members of the percussion section in
the orchestra different from the other players?
They must be able to play a large variety of instruments.
_____________________________________________________________
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
I. Four Families of instruments in the Symphony Orchestra
The Percussion Family
13. How many players handle all the percussion in a
regular orchestra? (One of these is always just a
4
timpanist)? ___________
Instrument Families of the
Symphony Orchestra
• Be sure to also complete the Brass
Family worksheet in addition to the
worksheet you just completed.
• Both are due at the end of the
period!