Here are short samples of all the percussion instruments I play and am able to record! This list is non-exhaustive; more instruments will be added as I'm able to access them. Instruments with demos not yet listed here, as well as many diverse examples of the instruments listed below, can be found in videos on my YouTube channel!
Looking for a percussion instrument not on this list? Feel free to get in touch!
With individual instrument samples below, here is an arrangement recorded with my three primary instruments - marimba, vibraphone, and drum set. Details can be found in the video’s description on YouTube, but the vibraphone was recorded with pickups, while the drum kit uses Sensory Percussion to trigger bass sounds as well as drum sounds.
Mallet Percussion
Region of Origin: USA
Description: Consisting of tuned metal bars with a sustain pedal, the vibraphone can produce a variety of different sounds through the use of mallets of different hardnesses, as well as extended techniques.
In addition to this, I have augmented my vibraphone with pickups, allowing me to record without microphones, as well as giving me the option to add various effects, including guitar pedals and amp simulators, to my sound.
The first video is a minute-long demo reel, displaying virtuosity, extended techniques, and improvisation, with sound captured from both microphones and pickups, all from arrangements of mine on my YouTube channel.
The second video is an example of the capabilities of the pickups on my vibraphone - here, they are running through a NeuralDSP amp sim (Archetype: Plini).
Vibraphone (Acoustic & Electric)
Region of Origin: Mexico (modern marimba)
Description: Consisting of wooden bars above a series of resonator pipes that amplify harmonics of the sound, the marimba is similar to a xylophone, but with a larger range, and a warmer and richer sound. Like the vibraphone, a variety of different textures can be obtained through the use of mallets of different hardnesses and constructions.
My marimba is a 5.0 concert marimba with rosewood bars, built by Coe Percussion.
The video shown is my arrangement of “Fisherman’s Horizon”, from Final Fantasy VIII. This is a semi-chorale-style arrangement - marimba chorales are pieces where all the notes are rolled, resulting in a pleasing wall of resonance.
Marimba
Region of Origin: USA
Description: My current drum kit is an electronic setup that uses Sensory Percussion drum sensors. These sensors offer unmatched flexibility and quite literally unlimited possibilities with the kinds of sounds that the drums can produce. Two varied examples are shown here, in which chord progressions are played in addition to drum sounds, and the sequence is manually controlled by strokes on the different playing surfaces of the drums.
The third video is my drum set demo reel from 2022, which features excerpts of my covers of prog, metal, and jazz songs by several friends.
Drum Set
Hand Drums
Mridangam (Demo coming soon!)
Region of Origin: South India
Description: A barrel-shaped, double-headed drum, the mridangam is the backbone of traditional Carnatic music, and is recognizable by the distinctive buzz produced by the smaller head.
Tambourine
Region of Origin: Various
Description: Now commonly used in classical orchestral music, the tambourine has many different regional variants, and can be played in various ways, from striking with a hand or stick, shaking the instrument, or thumb rolls along the edge of the instrument.
Shakers
Auxiliary Percussion
Region of Origin: Worldwide
Description: My current shakers are the Meinl crystal shakers, featuring an acrylic shell with plastic beads inside, resulting in an intermediate attack and volume level.