Drum and Percussion Instruments

In percussion instruments, the sound source is a vibrating membrane (like a drum head), or a vibrating piece of material (like a xylaphone). The drummer / percussionist causes the material to vibrate by hitting, striking, shaking, or rubbing the instrument

Musical tones are longitudinal vibrations of air, at specific frequencies / wavelengths. Each musical note corresponds to a specific frequency / wavelength. For instance, the standard tuned 'A' note has a frequency of 440 hertz (440hz), which means that the wavelength passes through the air at 440 cycles in one second. The corresponding wavelength of the note 'A' is about .75 meters.