How do percussion instruments produce sound?

Percussion instruments produce sound through the vibration of their physical bodies or membranes, typically initiated by being struck, scraped, rubbed, brushed, or shaken. These instruments are generally categorized into two main groups based on their method of sound production:1

• Idiophones: These instruments produce sound through the vibration of their entire body. This category includes both pitched instruments, such as the xylophone, glockenspiel, and gong, and non-pitched instruments like castanets and rattles.1
• Membranophones: These instruments produce sound via a vibrating membrane, most notably seen in drums like the timpani. The pitch of these instruments can often be adjusted by altering the tension of the membrane stretched over an enclosed cavity.1

To enhance or clarify the sound, many percussion instruments utilize resonators, such as the metal tubes suspended beneath marimba bars, which reinforce specific frequencies. The final tone quality is further shaped by the player's skill in controlling the intensity and character of the vibrations.21