Rhythm instruments

Rhythm instruments, especially drums, are quite popular. There is also an incredible variety of rhythm instruments from all over the world but especially from Africa. Rhythm instruments may be struck or shaken. Percussion instruments are the kind one strikes or beats. Examples of rhythm instruments include drums, cymbals, gongs, chimes, rattles and xylophones. Drums themselves are not limited to those covered by animal skin or plastic drum heads. Some have open tops. Examples are udu drums which are essentially modified Nigerian water pots with an open mouth and extra hole on one side.


I begin this section by showing me playing instruments I actually bought, rather than made.

Here we have a few rattles or shakers.

 Here are a pair of claves, typically used in Latin American music.

 Okay, this is not a musical instrument per se. It is a tuning fork. Still, I think the sound is interesting.

This is a Tibetan singing bowl.

Okay, here we have a child's xylophone. Yet the xylophone serves a purpose: to demonstrate another possibility in terms of rhythm instruments.

Here is a "simbel" or small cymbal with the sound of a bell. Note the clear tone and its duration.

This is a "cheap" Chinese cymbal. As far as I am concerned, the sound is not as impressive as that of the simbel.