Composers, who first started writing for the original form of this instrument, were frustrated with the limitations imposed on it by its inability to make rapid pitch changes. ... Zarro, Percussive Notes June 1998; 57-60). ... Even though using timpani as an orchestral instrument took root in the works of Bach and Handel in early eighteenth century music, the usage of timpani declined in the middle of the eighteenth century. ... Berlioz was one of the first composers to realize the potential for percussion, and had a solution for fixing such poor percussion sections in the orchestras: "The...

• Word Count: 861
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hoedown by Copland uses percussion to represent familiar sounds; for example, there was a percussion instrument used to simulate the trotting of a horse. The xylophone was also used - this piece is simple, but made more intricate and interesting by its percussion. ... Again, this is symbolized through percussion, and it seems as though they are having a light, flirty conversation. ... There was such an importance placed on percussion in both pieces. The percussion in these was very representative of action. ...

• Word Count: 695
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Instrumentation includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments, and the music usually incorporates a strong rhythmic component suitable for marching. ... There are two types of percussion: "the battery" which is the drum line on the field consisting of snare drums, tenors, bass drums and sometimes cymbals, and then there is the pit, which is the ensemble on the front sideline that has your vibraphones, xylophones, marimbas, chimes, timpanis, keyboards and much more. Pit instruments usually vary from band to band and even from season to season in the same band. ...

• Word Count: 938
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography