Percussion Instruments
Everything published on Viyolens under Percussion Instruments — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Complete Guide to Names Of Drum Sets
Understanding the various names of drum sets—from drum kits to electronic e-kits—helps musicians communicate confidently about percussion equipment across different regions and genres.
The Best Steel Band Drums for the Money
There's no single "best" steelpan — only the right tier for what you're actually doing. Here's how the market breaks down.
Percussion Instruments Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The broadest family in music, sorted into something that actually makes sense: what counts as percussion, how it's classified, and why it matters.
Piccolo Snare: A Complete Guide
A piccolo snare drum is a specialised percussion instrument producing bright, cutting tones distinct from standard snare drums, valued in orchestras and studios.
Tubular Bells: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A big, heavy, specialist instrument deserves a proper buying checklist. Here's what actually matters before you commit to a set — no sales patter.
Cowbell: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The honest version of what matters when buying a cowbell: shell material, size, mounting, and whether you need more than one.
Cajon Drumming Explained: Features, Types and Tips
One box, three drum-kit sounds: here is what cajon drumming actually is, its Afro-Peruvian and flamenco history, and how the instrument works.
Shaker Explained: Features, Types and Tips
It looks like the simplest instrument in the room, and in construction it more or less is. Here's what's actually going on inside one.
Rock Jam Drum Kit: A Complete Guide
A quality rock drum kit delivers powerful projection and versatile tonal range demanded by contemporary rock music across all performance contexts.
The Complete Guide to Type Of Drum
Different drum types span cultures and centuries, from orchestral timpani to world music traditions. Understanding their construction, technique, and cultural context enriches musical appreciation.
The Complete Guide to Shaker Instrument
The shaker instrument is one of the world's most accessible percussion tools, blending simplicity with sonic versatility. Discover its types, techniques and musical significance.
Tambourine Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The tambourine is one of the world's oldest percussion instruments and one of the most versatile. Here is how it works, the different types, and what separates quality instruments from poor ones.
Chimes Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A primer on orchestral chimes — construction, sound character, technique and the role they play in orchestral and contemporary music.
The Best Tubular Bells for the Money
There's no single best set — there's a right tier for your setting. Here's how to match compact, mid-tier, concert-grade, used or digital to the job.
The Best Snare Drum Snares for the Money
A bedroom player, a gigging drummer and an orchestral percussionist all want different things — here's how value actually breaks down by tier.
Everything You Need to Know About Pack Shell
A shell pack forms the acoustic foundation of your drum kit. Discover the materials, construction methods and configurations that influence your kit's sound, playability and value.
Drum Kit With Labels: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A drum kit with labels aids learning and organisation, but labels shouldn't drive your purchasing decision. This guide covers specs, quality tiers, and what to prioritise when buying.
Common Percussion Instruments Mistakes to Avoid
Small, easily-missed habits cause most of the problems I see with percussion instruments. Here's what to watch for and how to fix it.
Congas for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Congas look a little intimidating at first, but it's a genuinely welcoming instrument to begin on. Let's take it gently, one step at a time.
Everything You Need to Know About Agogo Bell
Two small metal bells with a huge job in samba: here is where the agogo bell came from, how it's built and played, and how it differs from a cowbell or gankogui.
The Complete Guide to Pan Drums
Pan drums, or steel pans, are a unique percussion instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago that create surprisingly melodic tones from specially tuned steel barrels. Explore the instrument's rema...
Common Agogo Bells Mistakes to Avoid
The same handful of habits explain most problems with agogo bells. Here are six specific mistakes, why they happen, and the quick fix for each.
The Complete Guide to Thumb Piano
The thumb piano, also known as a kalimba, offers an accessible and joyful introduction to percussion instruments. Discover how these beautiful instruments produce captivating melodies.
Thumb Piano: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing your first thumb piano doesn't require expertise. This guide cuts through the noise and shows you exactly what matters when buying.
Percussion Instruments is filed under
All topics
Chimes
Orchestral percussion for shimmering accents, dramatic swells and atmospheric colour in live or studio settings.
1 topic
Congas
Congas bring hand-played rhythm, warmth and projection to Latin, pop and educational settings, with options for every le...
2 topics
Djembe
Djembes offer a lively hand-played sound with strong bass and sharp tones, suited to lessons, sessions and performance.
Maracas
Maracas add bright rhythmic texture and easy-to-use percussion colour for studio, school and live performance.
2 topics
Marimba
Marimbas are pitched percussion instruments with warm wooden tone, suited to education, ensemble work and performance.
Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments add rhythm, texture and colour across live, studio and educational settings for UK musicians.
Tambourine
Find tambourines for bright accents, rhythmic lift and versatile hand percussion across many styles.
2 topics
Tubular Bells
Tubular bells are pitched concert percussion instruments known for resonant, bell-like tones in orchestral and theatrica...
