Percussion instrument
![Yoruba drummers: One holds omele ako and batá, the other two hold dunduns.](/Images/godic/202502/02/Kwarastatedrummers1247.jpg")
![Orchestral percussion section with timpani, unpitched auxiliary percussion and pitched tubular bells](/Images/godic/202502/02/2010Jul1-PercussionByVernBarber1247.JPG")
![Djembé and balafon played by Susu people of Guinea](/Images/godic/202502/02/SoussousGuiembeBalafon1247.jpg")
![Concussion idiophones (claves), and struck drums (conga drum)](/Images/godic/202502/02/Latin_jazz_clave_percussion_sticks1247.jpg")
A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater (including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles); struck, scraped or rubbed by hand; or struck against another similar instrument. The percussion family is believed to include the oldest musical instruments, following the human voice.