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Which percussion instruments would you usually find in a symphony orchestra?

Timpani: Also known as kettledrums, timpani are large, bowl-shaped drums that produce a wide range of pitches by adjusting the tension of the drumhead.

Bass Drum: A large, cylindrical drum that produces low, booming sounds.

Cymbals: A pair of large, round metal discs that are clashed together to produce bright, piercing crashes.

Snare Drum: A cylindrical drum with a set of snares stretched across the inside of the drumhead, producing a crisp, rattling sound.

Orchestra Bells: A set of tuned metal bars arranged like a keyboard, each bar producing a distinct pitch when struck with a mallet.

Xylophone: A set of tuned wooden bars arranged like a keyboard, each bar producing a distinct pitch when struck with a mallet.

Marimba: A set of tuned wooden bars arranged like a keyboard, each bar producing a distinct pitch when struck with a mallet.

Vibraphone: A set of tuned metal bars arranged like a keyboard, each bar producing a distinct pitch when struck with a mallet. The vibraphone also has a motor-driven damper that creates a vibrato effect.

Additionally, other percussion instruments, such as chimes, triangles, tambourines, castanets, woodblocks, and gongs, can also be found in a symphony orchestra depending on the specific needs of the composition.

Musical Instruments

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