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 Cajon Meinl
A Meinl cajon delivers the warm, responsive tones that make the instrument versatile across world music, flamenco, acoustic performance and creative experimentation.
Vibraphone: A Complete Buyer's Guide
What actually matters when buying a vibraphone, from motor and pedal condition to range, size and transport.
Agogo Bells: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Classroom set or handmade Brazilian bell? Here is how to match agogo bells to how you actually play, what to check on the weld and beater, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Agogo Bells for Beginners: A Complete Guide
No music reading required: here is a gentle, encouraging way into agogo bells, from the basic grip to your first simple pattern and a realistic practice routine.
Tubular Bells for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A gentle, step-by-step route in for anyone standing in front of a set of tubular bells for the very first time, with no experience assumed.
The Complete Guide to Roland V Drums Electronic
Electronic drums from Roland's V-Drums line offer responsive playability, realistic feel and silent practice—perfect for any space. Discover which tier suits your budget and goals, from beginners to t...
Hand Drum: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you buy a hand drum, work out the style first — everything else follows from that one decision.
The Complete Guide to Timbale Drums
Timbale drums are the bright, punchy heart of Latin and Afro-Caribbean music, essential to salsa, mambo and beyond. Discover what makes them distinctive and how to get started.
Common Snare Drum Snares Mistakes to Avoid
A genuinely simple mechanism that punishes small mistakes disproportionately — here's what most often goes wrong, and why it happens.
Bongo Drumming: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Wood or fibreglass, natural hide or synthetic heads, budget or professional: here is the plain-spoken guide to buying the right pair of bongos.
Snare Drum Snares for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Most players get quite a way into drumming before they understand what's happening underneath the snare drum. Here's the friendly, no-assumptions version.
The Best Cajon Drummings for the Money
From honest entry-level boxes to handmade premium builds, here is where the real value lies at every price point in cajon drumming.
Djembe: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical buying guide for djembes: what to look for in materials, construction and tone, budget ranges, brand recommendations, and how to avoid regrettable purchases.
Congas: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying your first set of congas isn't complicated once you strip away the jargon. Here's the honest version of what to check.
A Guide to Percussion Box Drum Cajon
The cajon percussion box drum is a versatile hand-struck instrument with roots in Peru. Learn about its tones, playing technique and why musicians across genres love this authentic percussion box drum...
The Complete Guide to Drum Set Instrument Names
Every part of your drum set has a proper name, and knowing drum set instrument terminology helps you communicate with other musicians and shop with confidence. This complete guide covers all the essen...
Ludwig Breakbeats Drum Set: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a Ludwig Breakbeats drum set requires knowing what specs to check, which price tier suits your needs, and which common pitfalls to avoid. This guide cuts through the confusion.
Cajon Drumming: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Before you buy a box for cajon drumming, here is what separates a lively-sounding instrument from a dull one — and what you can safely ignore.
The Complete Guide to Full Set Drum Kit
A quality full set drum kit forms the rhythmic foundation for any drummer. Learn what makes a good kit, how to compare options across price points and set up your first complete drum setup.
The Complete Guide to Steel Pan Drum Instrument
A steel pan drum is a melodic percussion instrument from Trinidad offering warm, distinctive tone. Learn its history, how it works and what it takes to play.
Shaker: A Complete Buyer's Guide
One of the cheapest instruments you'll ever buy, and one of the easiest to get wrong for your situation. Here's what actually matters.
Hand Drum Explained: Features, Types and Tips
"Hand drum" covers a lot of ground. Here's what the term actually means, and how the main families differ.
The Complete Guide to Pearl Snares
Pearl snares have earned a reputation as some of the most versatile and reliable percussion instruments available today. Whether you're a jazz purist, a rock powerhouse, or a studio session player, Pe...
Tambourine: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Buying a tambourine well means making the right call on head, jingles, and size. This buyer's guide covers every variable and which brands are worth trusting.
Percussion Instruments is filed under
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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...
