What classifies an instrument as a percussion instrument?

Answer 1

Definition

Percussion is a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination. The purpose is to evaluate the size, consistency, borders, and presence or absence of fluid in body organs.

Percussion of a body part produces a sound -- like playing a drum -- that indicates the type of tissue within the organ:

• Lungs sound hollow on percussion because they are filled with air.
• Bones, joints, and solid organs such as the liver sound solid.
• The abdomen sounds like a hollow organ filled with air, fluid, or solids.

Answer 2

There are a lot of instruments in the Percussion family. here are some of them:

• Piano
• Snare Drum
• Bass Drum
• Timpani
• Gong
• Cymbals
• Claves
• Shakers
• Djembe
• Tabla
• Glockenspiel
• Castanets
• Triangles
• Bongos
• Congas, and many more.

Answer 3

Definition

Percussion is a method of tapping body parts with fingers, hands, or small instruments as part of a physical examination. The purpose is to evaluate the size, consistency, and borders of body organs, and the presence or absence of fluid in body areas.

Percussion of a body part produces a sound -- like playing a drum -- that indicates the type of tissue within the body part or organ:

• Lungs sound hollow on percussion because they are filled with air.
• Bones, joints, and solid organs such as the liver sound solid.
• The abdomen sounds like a hollow organ filled with air, fluid, or solids.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/17/2011

David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 4

Percussion can be performed to help break up thick fluids in you lungs:

• Form a cup shape with your hand and wrist.
• Clap your hand and wrist against your chest (or have someone clap your back, if your doctor tells you to).
• You should hear a hollow or popping sound, NOT a slapping sound.
• Do not clap so hard that it hurts.

Do percussion for 5 to 7 minutes in each area of the chest. Do this on all of the areas of your chest or back that your doctor tells you to. When you finish, take a deep breath and cough.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/11/2009

Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine.

Answer 5

If it produces sound through a stretched membranes or if it creates sound through the vibration of the instrument as a whole.