Percussion
Tuning: Indefinite Pitch
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Musicians (c. 3rd century) Dioscourides of Samos, Mosaic from Villa of Cicero at Pompeii, National Museum - Naples
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Castanets


Cymbals
Unpitched percussion
These are instruments that produce sounds that are not of a defined pitch. There purpose is to play the rhythm and accompany the tunes played in the orchestra or band:

CastanetsBonanni's Antique Musical Instruments and Their Players, Frank L. Harrison & Joan Rimmer (editors), Dover Publications, Inc., New-York originated in Spain. Their shape is of two wooden cups, and they are mainly used for playing music by composers inspired by the Spanish folk music, both Spaniards such as Manuel de Falla ("the Three-Edged Hat") and Granados, and other composers, like Bizet, in his opera "Carmen".

Cymbals are meant to intensify the sound of the orchestra clapping one cymbal against another. The player holds the leather stripes in the center of each one. Mozart gave the cymbals a solo in his opera "The Magic Flute", and the overture to "Carmen" emphasizes how Bizet uses them to underline the rhythm of the orchestra.



Triangle

Gong



Triangle is made of a steel bar bent into the shape of a triangle (hence its name), producing a gentle sound by beating. It must be held by a string in order to avoid blocking its sound.

GongBonanni's Antique Musical Instruments and Their Players, Frank L. Harrison & Joan Rimmer (editors), Dover Publications, Inc., New-York was brought to the orchestra from distant China, and its sound is like thunder roaring and festive. A more mysterious sound can be achieved by numerous weaker strikes, one after another.


Wood Block

Wood block is a wooden box, that, when struck with a wooden headed knocker, produces a sharp accurate sound. Came from China.


In addition to these instruments, other percussion and noise instruments were integrated into the orchestra, especially in the 20th century, in various pieces (a typing machine by Leroy Anderson, car horns, rattles etc.)

"...and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD...þ" (Ezra, chapter 3:10)




Musicians (c. 3rd century) Dioscourides of Samos, Mosaic from Villa of Cicero at Pompeii, National Museum - Naples
Cymbals player from the roman art
St. Cecilia with Saints (1514-1516) Raphael, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna, Italy
The Triangle beside the player's feet
Composers


Mozart


Bizet


Granados


de Falla





"Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt
go forth in the dances of them that make merry." (Jeremiah, chapter 31:4)


Paintings
Musicians (c. 3rd century) Dioscourides of Samos, Mosaic from Villa of Cicero at Pompeii, National Museum - Naples
St. Cecilia with Saints (1514-1516) Raphael, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna, Italy

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