Percussion instruments are the oldest family of instruments and were originally used to accompany dance and emphasize rhythm. Percussionists produce music by striking objects. The timpani, or kettledrum, is played by striking the animal skin or plastic head with mallets, which causes the air inside the kettle to vibrate and produce a low, deep sound. The bass drum produces a very loud sound and is struck with mallets on both sides. The snare drum gets its unique buzzing sound from snares or wires stretched across the bottom of the drum. The xylophone is a series of tuned wooden bars played with mallets. Cymbals are metal plates that are struck together or with mallets to