percussion Hear it!

percussion Definition

per·cus·sion (pər kus̸h′ən)

noun

  1. the hitting or impact of one body against another, as the hammer of a firearm against a cap
  2. the shock, vibration, etc. resulting from this
  3. the percussion instruments of an orchestra, band, etc. or the players of these
  4. Med. the striking or tapping of the chest, back, etc. with the fingertips so as to determine from the sound produced the condition of internal organs

Etymology: L percussio < percussus: see percuss

adjective

  1. designating a musical instrument in which the tone or sound is produced when some part of it is struck, as a drum, or shaken, as a tambourine or a maraca
  2. composed of or for percussion instruments a percussion quartet

percussion Synonyms

percussion

n.

shock, blow, impact; see collision 1, crash 4.

percussion Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • clatter: The piece later turns into a meditative journey, with Ward becoming peaceful amidst Sanders clattering percussion.
  • tune: By way of contrast Fahrenheit 451 employs lots of tuned percussion.
  • pound: A grandly towering fusion of jazz funk, eccentric samples and lush vocals nailed to a chassis of crackling grooves and pounding percussion.
  • play: Back in the UK, he played percussion in several bands.

Adjective modifier

  • orchestral: Please note that saxophones, harps and orchestral percussion are included.
  • assorted: Percussion: drum kit, congas, timbales ( plus other assorted Cuban percussion ) Bass: piano, bass.
  • Latin: All the songs are played back live, with John adding distinctive, and highly comical, latin percussion.
  • tribal: They then took those songs and infused them with elements of their Latino heritage, including tribal percussion, flamenco guitars and Spanish lyrics.
  • Cuban: Anga Diaz has been the heartbeat of Cuban percussion from Irakere to the Afro Cuban All Stars.
  • gentle: A short instrumental with lilting lead guitar, gentle percussion, synths and Hammond organ.

Modifies a noun

  • instrument: Action songs, percussion instrument playing, age specific classes.
  • concerto: At concerts across the UK, MacMillan will conduct works by Mendelssohn and Sibelius alongside a new percussion concerto by Sally Beamish.
  • quartet: From Every Sides ( 2003 ) for octet: ( percussion quartet and clarinet quartet ) for Backbeat and Chinook Quartets.
  • ensemble: I play in a percussion ensemble every year in Rio for the big carnival.
  • accompaniment: Chris also taught a group of children percussion accompaniments to some of the songs.
  • grenade: Guy was hit by an exploding percussion grenade in the left leg.

Noun used with modifier

  • mallet: Mike's arrangements are stunning: layers of strings, mallet percussion, and guitar ( and some piano and synths ).
  • junk: Helps in the setting up of other junk percussion groups.
  • solo: Written originally for solo percussion and orchestra, by Michael Daugherty, this work was commissioned by the US National Symphony Orchestra.
  • classroom: Classroom percussion has a limited life like any other equipment.