The Beatles and Percussion Instruments Quiz

Percussion Instruments

• Tsuzumi: A hourglass-shaped drum from Japan. Players use cords attached to each end to alter the pitch
• Rattle drum: A prehistoric drum from North America. They contain dried seeds. Indigenous peoples use them in ceremonies.
• Tabor: A two-headed drum from Europe that was played with drumsticks, creating a 'rat-a-tat-tat' sound popular in military bands from the 13th century.

Other Percussion Instruments

• Timpani: Drums from the Middle East, sometimes called kettledrums used in orchestral percussion ensembles. From the 13th century, modern timpani have a foot pedal to tighten/loosen the membrane for pitch alteration.

• Darbuka: A goblet-shaped, single-headed drum from the Middle East. It's used for ceremonies, weddings, and festivities.

• Pellet drum: A half rattle drum from Asia used as a toy or for attention-grabbing purposes.

• Bongos: Two single-headed drums, one larger than the other, from Cuba. Played together, they are commonly used in Latin American music, like salsa.

• West Indian steel drum: Drums from Trinidad and Tobago (1930s). The metal drum allows the player to make different notes, unlike other drums, and can be used to play a tune.