Text (1) The percussion family includes the widest variety of instruments in the orchestra and produce sound when they are hit, shaken, or scraped. (2) Some percussion instruments are tuned and can sound different notes, like the xylophone, timpani or piano. (3) Other percussion instruments are untuned with no definite pitch, like the bass drum, cymbals or castanets. (4) Percussion instruments keep the rhythm, make special sounds and add excitement and colour. (5) Unlike most of the other players in the orchestra, a percussionist will usually play many different instruments in one piece of music. (6) The most common percussion instruments in the orchestra include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes, celesta, and piano.