Viva percussion is in great need of being saved from neglect! So, if you had to pick just one percussion instrument to play, what would it be?

I think, for me, it'd have to be the marimba, especially a 5 octave. I just can't get over the amazing sound it makes!

I'm not a percussionist and probably never will be, but I love the marimba

vibraphone.
or timps.
I did orchestral percussion for a while, but the teacher was wierd and kept saying he was 'sweating like a rapist'
lessons were ceased.

I love the vibraphone too; it's incredibly atmospheric. It's also great for jazz! That teacher certainly sounds interesting, if not somewhat scary!

i love playing the marimba, though bongo's can be equally as amusing

I love to play timps, but also the triangle in Lizst's Piano Conc No 1

Spoons!

Tambourine!

Piano! (or timps)

I'm not a percussion player either - but a youth orchestra I played in last year used a waterphone in one of our pieces. It sounds like this - we used it to imitate whale calls... don't ask. It was miked up and during a fairly quiet string section the percussionist let rip and woke the audience up!

The agago bells we have in samba band...they are so incredibly out of tune with each other that when you play one particular pair followed by the other, it changes key!

MARIMBA...!!!

Marimba for sure! I saw a marimbist (sp) playing some pieces on TV and I just fell head over heels.

No plans to start learning this instrument any time soon though. I have my hands full now with learning piano and cello.

I'm not a great fan of percussion instruments, but I do like the marimba, and also tubular bells - in other words, instruments which are more to do with pitch than rhythm.

I just feel so proud of my son, specially when I'm so rhythmically challenged myself. His band got lovely reviews in a recent music magazine, and they were also included in the "EP of the Month" section. He was described as a "frenetic percussionist". The critic's view was that if they're this good at 14 then they'll be signed by the time they're 18............ but he's still got to do his homework in the meantime and get his GCSEs - that's mummy talking here!

I have no idea whatsoever how me manages to coordinate his hands and feet and do all these and weired and wonderful different things. I can't even tap my head and rub my tummy at the same time.




Ambs
x

Well done to your son, Amber! No wonder you are proud of him.

I think you're right that GCSEs are important, though - there are a lot of bands around and it's a bit of a lottery who gets signed up, so it's best not to rely on it. Hope he continues to get a lot of fun from his music.

Bodhran

Marimba, certainly, and if one could have only one instrument, it would probably have to be marimba (unless piano counts....)

But I am also v fond of the cuica, and for the combination of simplicity and virtuousity it would be hard to beat (ha ha!) the pandeiro, or the N African drums variously called Darbouka, Darabouka or tabla.

nick

Untuned: Bodhran. :-)
Tuned: Tubular Bells.

My favourite has to be the Irish bones when played well. Snare drums are brilliant too, and my favourite tuned percussion would be the vibraphone.

That is said about 10 different bands every week, I'm afraid... Still, great to have a positive review - well done to him and the band, and best of luck with the future!


My favourite percussion instrument changes all the time - atm I love my Modern Classic snare because I've just changed the heads and the wires and it sounds amazing!

What do Irish bones sound like?

Could be my knees creaking when I go up the stairs at night!
But really, my knowledge of Irish music making is poor, I'm going to look into those bones!

As a youngster I could never understand how anybody got paid for playing the triangle!

I just thought it was such a ridiculous idea it made me laugh

Glad to say I am a bit more appreciative of all the skills a good percussionist has now
My favourite? um....glochenspiel (sp?) maybe.

A little wiser now, goat bones seem to be all the rage in some parts!
And I was pleased to see that you can get them in resin or wood, although the bone ones are probably a by-product of the bodhran making industry.?

My favourites are the vibra slap, the flexatone, the slapstick and the kokoriko

If I had to choose one it would be the Kokoriko.
P.S. I did get the triangle part for the 1812 Overture at school.

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My favourites are the vibra slap, the flexatone, the slapstick and the kokoriko

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Blimey, never heard of them either!
Sound a bit "dodgy" too -are you sure this is the right forum?

I only use wooden bones. And it's fascinating to hear the different tones that come from different woods - really makes you think more about what is used in different instruments and why! I have sets in ebony, rosewood, maple, hawthorn, oak, hornbeam, cedar, elm, sycamore, bubinga, willow and hickory.

I know nothing of Irish bones, or the kokoriko. I think a little research may be in order! I also love the flexatone. Acme sirens are great, too. And, at this time of year, who can forget sleigh bells?!

Absolutely But I use them all year...tied round my ankles as part of my one-man band act

hehe, I'm guessing you're joking!!!

Nice I'm not a percussionist but saw this thread and thought I'd answer anyway... My favourites are the glockenspiel and timp (not very original I know... ). I chose them because, although I'm not a PROPER percussionist I did play those two in the school production of 'Annie', something I am immensely proud of It was quite an interesting period of time...

Afraid not! When the need arises, the one-man band and ankle bells come out It's a real crowd-pleaser

Haha! I will never listen to a timp roll in the same way again!

SHANNEN!!

TOE FACE!! Anyway, your timp roll was great, as was your glocking. You were born to play percusson. As for me, I would have to say that my favourite percussion instrument is...

Drum roll please... (<-- that's a joke by the way)

The xylophone! Not very original I know, but I happen to be a rather boring person.