Percussion instruments refer to musical instruments that are played by striking them with another object. Chinese percussion instruments have a long history and a sizable variety. They can be used to highlight the rhythm in music and create colourful tonal changes, or can be grouped together in ensemble playing. Percussion ensemble pieces differ in expression as the configuration differs.
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's percussion section is primarily made up of two sets: Chinese traditional percussion instruments and Western percussion instruments (both with pitched and un-pitched categories). Chinese traditional percussion instruments comprise the metal type (large gongs, small gongs, cloud gongs, cymbals, bells and chimes etc.), the wood type (clappers, bamboo clappers, bangzi and temple block etc.) and the skin type (dagu, paigu, hand drums etc.). The other set comprises Western percussion instruments such as timpani, xylophone, chimes, glockenspiel, vibraphone, bass drum, snare drum and cymbals, etc.. The following is a list of some percussion instruments.
