The Most Popular Percussion Instrument, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the percussion instrument you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:45
Music bands often face the challenge of choosing the right percussion instruments to enhance their sound. Each genre and musical style might benefit differently from various percussion options, making the selection a vital part of the musical arrangement process. By ranking these instruments based on popularity, musicians and enthusiasts gain a clearer understanding of what might suit their specific needs best.
This dynamic ranking system reflects the preferences of a diverse community of voters, helping to guide new and experienced musicians in their choices. Your vote contributes to this ongoing survey, providing real-time insights into trends and preferences within the music community. Participate today and see how your favorite instruments fare against others in the global rankings.
What Is the Most Popular Percussion Instrument?
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116votes
Danel Solabarrieta · CC BY-SA 2.5The drum set is the most popular percussion instrument used in rock, pop, jazz, and many other genres of music.The drum set, also known as a drum kit, is a highly versatile and popular percussion instrument that consists of various drums and cymbals arranged in a specific configuration. It is commonly used in various genres of music, including rock, pop, jazz, and more.- Components: Bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, etc.
- Materials: Various options like wood, metal, or acrylic for drum shells and cymbals
- Size: Different dimensions available for each drum and cymbal
- Configuration: Customizable arrangement of drums and cymbals based on player preference
- Playing Technique: Played using drumsticks, brushes, mallets, or hands
Drum Set in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most overrated instrument
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224votesThe tambourine is an ancient instrument that is widely used in folk, pop, and rock music. It is a small, hand-held instrument that produces a jingling sound when shaken or struck.The tambourine is a popular percussion instrument that consists of a circular frame with one or two rows of small metal jingles/tabs attached to it. It is typically played by shaking, striking, or tapping it with the hand or a stick. The sound is produced by the jingles rattling against the frame, creating a unique and lively rhythmic effect.
- Frame: Circular shape made of wood, metal, or plastic
- Jingles: Small metal discs or tabs attached to the frame
- Size: Ranging from 6 to 12 inches in diameter
- Weight: Varies depending on materials and design
- Playing Style: Shaking, striking, or tapping with the hand or a stick
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319votesCongas are tall, single-headed drums that are played with the hands. They are widely used in Latin music and are also popular in jazz and rock.The Congas are a set of tall and narrow handmade drums that belong to the family of percussion instruments. They originate from Cuba and are widely used in Latin American and African music genres. The Congas are played by striking the drumhead with the hands, producing various tones and rhythms.
- Origin: Cuba
- Type: Percussion instrument
- Playing Technique: Striking with hands
- Sound Range: High to low
- Number of Drums: Usually two, but can be more
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416votesBongos are small, double-headed drums that are played with the hands. Like congas, they are widely used in Latin music and are also popular in jazz and rock.The bongos are a pair of small, open-bottomed drums that are played by hand. They originated in Cuba and are an integral part of Latin American and Afro-Cuban music.
- Number of drums: 2
- Construction: The shells are typically made of wood, with the larger drum measuring around 7 inches in diameter and the smaller drum around 6 inches.
- Playing technique: The bongos are played by striking the drumheads with the fingers and palms of the hands.
- Tuning: The bongos can be tuned by applying pressure to the drumheads or by using tuning lugs.
- Range: The bongos produce high-pitched and versatile tones.
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510votesThe djembe is a West African drum that is played with the hands. It is widely used in African and world music.The Djembe is a popular percussion instrument originating from West Africa. It is a drum made of a single piece of hollowed-out wood or a carved-out tree trunk, with a drumhead made out of stretched animal skin, traditionally goat skin. The drumhead is secured with a system of ropes or metal rings that allow for tension adjustment. The Djembe is played by striking the drumhead with bare hands or using mallets to produce a variety of tones and dynamics.
- Origin: West Africa
- Materials: Wood, animal skin (traditionally goat skin)
- Size: Typically around 12-13 inches in diameter
- Height: Usually around 24-25 inches tall
- Weight: Ranges from 5 to 15 kilograms
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68votesMaracas are hand-held percussion instruments that are shaken to produce a rattling sound. They are widely used in Latin and Caribbean music.Maracas are a type of percussion instrument consisting of a pair of handheld shakers. They are traditionally made from hollow gourds filled with seeds, beans, or small stones. They produce a rattling sound when shaken, providing a unique rhythm and texture to music. Maracas are widely used in Latin American and Caribbean music, particularly in salsa, merengue, and calypso genres.
- Construction materials: Hollow gourds, seeds, beans, or small stones
- Design: Handheld shakers with handles
- Size: Various sizes, typically ranging from 15 to 30 cm in length
- Weight: Varies depending on materials used
- Sound production: Rattling sound produced by shaking the instrument
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711votesCymbals are metal discs that are struck together to produce a crashing sound. They are widely used in rock, pop, and orchestral music.Cymbals are a type of percussion instrument that consist of thin, circular metal plates. They are struck together or with a drumstick to produce a vibrant, metallic sound. Cymbals are commonly used in various music genres, including orchestral, jazz, rock, and marching bands.
- Material: Typically made of bronze or brass
- Types: Crash cymbals, ride cymbals, hi-hats, splash cymbals, china cymbals, etc.
- Size: Ranges from around 6 inches to 26 inches in diameter
- Weight: Varies depending on the type and size, ranging from lightweight to heavy
- Sound: Produces a shimmering, sustained sound when struck
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85votes
Stephan Czuratis (Jazz-face) · CC BY-SA 2.5The snare drum is a small, high-pitched drum that is played with drumsticks. It is widely used in marching bands, orchestras, and rock and pop music.The snare drum is a versatile and widely used percussion instrument that consists of a shallow cylindrical shell made of wood, metal, or composite materials. It is named after the distinctive feature of two or more parallel snares stretched across the bottom head of the drum, which produce a rattling or buzzing sound when the drumhead is struck.- Size: Typically around 14 inches in diameter and 5-8 inches in depth, but various sizes are available.
- Shell Material: Common materials include wood (such as maple, birch, or mahogany), metal (such as brass or steel), or composite materials.
- Top/Bottom Heads: Usually made of plastic, but sometimes animal skin (such as calfskin or goatskin) is used for a more traditional sound.
- Snares: Consist of metal wires or synthetic cords stretched across the bottom head, providing a buzzing or rattling sound when the drum is played.
- Tuning System: Most snare drums feature a variety of tension rods, which are used to tighten or loosen the drumhead to achieve different pitches and tones.
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97votesThe timpani, also known as the kettle drum, is a large, bowl-shaped drum that is played with mallets. It is widely used in orchestral music.
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106votesThe guiro is a percussion instrument that is scraped with a stick to produce a rasping sound. It is widely used in Latin and Caribbean music.The Guiro is a percussion instrument commonly played in Latin American and Caribbean music. It is made of a hollow gourd or wooden tube with parallel notches carved on its surface. The player uses a stick or a scraper to rub along the notches, producing a raspy, scraping sound. The Guiro is held in one hand while the other hand strikes it with the scraper or stick.
- Material: Hollow gourd or wooden tube
- Size: Varies in length, typically around 10-15 inches
- Shape: Cylindrical or tube-shaped, often with a curved or irregular surface
- Notches: Parallel grooves/notches carved into the surface
- Sound: Produces a raspy, scraping sound
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Ranking factors for popular percussion instrument
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VersatilityConsider how many different styles of music and genres the percussion instrument can be used in. The more versatile the instrument, the more popular it might be.
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Cultural significanceSome percussion instruments hold a significant cultural value in certain regions, making them popular and widely used in that specific area.
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Accessibility and affordabilityInstruments that are widely available and reasonably priced are more likely to be popular.
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Ease of learning and playingInstruments that are relatively easy to learn and play tend to be more popular, as more people can enjoy playing them.
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Sound and tonal qualitiesThe range of sounds and tones an instrument can produce can largely impact its popularity. Instruments with appealing or unique sounds are more likely to be favored.
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Role in ensembles and solo performanceConsider the instrument's role in both group and solo performances. If it plays a crucial role in many ensembles or is often used for solo performances, it may be more popular.
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Historical popularitySome percussion instruments have been popular over time, making them a staple in the world of music. This historical popularity can still contribute to their present-day reputation.
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Visibility in popular musicPercussion instruments that are often seen and heard in popular music or used by famous musicians are more likely to be popular among music enthusiasts.
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Portability and ease of transportInstruments that are easily transported or set up can be more popular, as they are suited for different types of performances and venues.
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Innovation and developmentInstruments that have undergone significant innovation or have new, cutting-edge versions may increase in popularity, as they offer new possibilities and experiences for musicians.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular percussion instrument. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Drum is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1282 views
- 121 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Drum once every 24 hours. The rank of each Drum is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular percussion instrument
Percussion instruments have been an integral part of music for thousands of years. From the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to modern-day musicians, percussion instruments have been used to create rhythm, add depth to melodies, and create unique sounds. The percussion family includes a wide range of instruments, from drums and cymbals to xylophones and maracas. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which percussion instrument is the most popular. At StrawPoll, we've asked our community to weigh in on this topic, and the results might surprise you.
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