Percussion section

The percussion section is one of the main divisions of the orchestra and the concert band.

Percussion sections, consisting of similar instruments, may also be found in stage bands and other musical ensembles.

All unpitched percussion instruments are grouped into the auxiliary percussion subsection, which includes an enormous variety of instruments, including drums, cymbals, bells, shakers, whistles and even found objects.

Players are expected to be accomplished on the snare drum, bass drum, clash cymbals and other hand percussion, and to be able to adapt these skills to playing other instruments and even objects, for example the typewriter.

The timpanist is a specialist who does not usually perform on the other percussion instruments during a concert.