A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is struck, rubbed or scraped by a beater, or struck against another instrument of the same kind. Percussion instruments are the oldest instruments in the world because anything can be used to make a percussion instrument.

The first percussion instruments were unpitched, that is they did not produce a single clear note. Hitting two sticks together is like this.

Most musical percussion instruments today are pitched. They include timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle and tambourine. Keyboard percussion instruments include the piano, glockenspiel and xylophone. (The piano is also often grouped with stringed instruments.)