Which type of instrument is characterized by being played by striking or shaking?

Percussion instruments are characterized by being played by striking, shaking, or scraping. This category includes a diverse array of instruments, such as drums, tambourines, and maracas. The defining feature of percussion instruments is that they produce sound when they are hit or shaken, creating vibrational waves that resonate to form musical notes.

Unlike woodwind instruments, which produce sound through the vibration of air in a tube, or brass instruments, which generate sound by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece, percussion instruments rely on the physical act of striking a surface or shaking an object to create sound. Similarly, string instruments produce sound through the vibration of strings, either by plucking or bowing, rather than through striking or shaking. This fundamental difference highlights the unique role that percussion instruments play in the broader context of musical instruments.