What is the main feature of tuned percussion instruments?

The main feature of tuned percussion instruments is that they produce notes of specific pitches, just like pitched instruments such as pianos or flutes. Each tuned percussion instrument is designed to resonate at a particular frequency, determining the pitch of the note it produces.

Unlike untuned percussion instruments, which produce sounds of indefinite or imprecise pitch, tuned percussion instruments have a definite and controllable pitch system. Their sound is generated by striking, scraping, or plucking a resonating body, such as a metal bar, wooden block, or drumhead, that vibrates at a precise frequency. Some examples of tuned percussion instruments include xylophones, marimbas, glockenspiels, vibraphones, and timpani. These instruments play a vital role in musical ensembles and orchestras to add clarity, melody, and harmony to musical compositions.