Concert Percussion

Definitely. Concert percussion instruments like the snare drum and xylophone offer accessible entry points, and percussion features prominently in most school music programs. Concert percussion is fun and immediately gratifying for kids; they hit a drum, cymbal or bar and hear a sound.

Moving to an advanced level means juggling rhythm, melody, coordination and reading all at once. But for student musicians drawn to variety and hands-on music-making, it can be an incredibly rewarding path.

Drum kit players work within a fixed setup, focused primarily on driving rhythm in styles like rock, jazz, R&B and country. Concert percussion is something broader entirely — a whole family of pitched and unpitched instruments played in orchestral and concert-band contexts. A single percussionist might move between multiple instruments within one piece.

A strong sense of rhythm is crucial, as is the ability to focus on building proper technique. But in the world of orchestral and concert percussion, it’s what happens between the strokes that can be equally important. Players will need to develop strong reading and counting skills, as scores often have large expanses of time between percussion contributions.

The ability to stay alert while playing relatively infrequently is a skill that shouldn't be underestimated — as is the versatility that allows a skilled percussionist to switch quickly among a stable of instruments.

Practice pads and smaller mallet instruments work well for building skills at home: They’re quiet enough and easy to store. Larger concert percussion instruments — like timpani or a full-size marimba or vibraphone — feature a footprint and volume that make them best suited for the band room. Most students rely on home practice to work on fundamental technique and school access to understand the distinct traits of each concert percussion instrument.

Absolutely! Whether you’re just starting out in your school’s music program or digging into advanced repertoire, our expert percussion teachers are ready to help at 250 stores nationwide. Get started today in the nation’s #1 music lessons program.