The Percussion family is an interesting case, because every member of the percussion section in band must play every instrument in the section. The percussion instruments are a part of the band program, along with the brass and woodwind families.

The students who tend to succeed in the percussion section are those who are self disciplined. The many instruments included in the percussion family include any instrument that is struck, shaken or scraped in order to produce the sound. Advanced percussion instruments include the timpani drums or kettle drums, the xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, chimes and many, many others. Most of the larger instruments are not used in young bands but all of these instruments are practiced by advanced players.

Percussion instruments are heard in nearly every type of instrumental music group. They are a vital part of bands, symphony orchestras, jazz groups and rock groups. Many percussion instruments can even be great solo instruments.