Percussion Instruments Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)
This Percussion Instruments word search features rhythm instruments from cultures around the world, including Snare, Djembe, and Maracas. It is a great classroom resource for music class or multicultural arts units, with a free printable worksheet and answer key.
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Word List
SNARE
A drum with metal wires (snares) stretched across the bottom head that vibrate to produce a sharp, buzzing sound. The snare drum is central to drum kits and marching bands.
CYMBAL
A thin, round metal plate that produces a shimmering or crashing sound when struck. Cymbals come in many forms, including hi-hats, crash cymbals, and ride cymbals.
BONGO
A pair of small, open-bottomed drums joined together, typically played with the hands. Bongos are associated with Latin American music, especially Cuban rhythms.
TAMBOURINE
A small, handheld frame drum with metal jingles around the edge. Tambourines are shaken or struck and appear in many musical traditions worldwide.
MARACAS
A pair of gourd-shaped rattles filled with seeds or beads, shaken to create rhythm. Maracas are associated with Latin American and Caribbean music.
TRIANGLE
A small steel rod bent into a triangle shape, struck with a metal beater. The triangle produces a clear, ringing tone and is used in orchestras and folk music worldwide.
GONG
A large, flat metal disc struck with a padded mallet to produce a deep, resonant sound. Gongs are used in Asian music traditions and orchestras for dramatic effect.
TIMPANI
Large kettle-shaped drums played with mallets in orchestras and concert bands. Timpani are tunable to specific pitches and provide powerful rhythmic and harmonic support.
DJEMBE
A rope-tuned drum from West Africa shaped like a goblet and played with bare hands. The djembe is one of the most widely played hand drums in the world.
CAJON
A wooden box drum from Peru that the player sits on and strikes with the hands. The cajon has become popular in flamenco music and acoustic performances worldwide.
About Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped, making them among the oldest musical instruments in human history. Found in every culture worldwide, percussion instruments range from simple hand drums to complex orchestral timpani.
Percussion Instruments Vocabulary
This puzzle features percussion instruments from many traditions: orchestral instruments like SNARE, CYMBAL, TIMPANI, and TRIANGLE, hand drums like BONGO, DJEMBE, and CAJON, and rhythm instruments like TAMBOURINE, MARACAS, and GONG.
How to Use This Word Search in Class
Bring in a few percussion instruments (or simple substitutes like buckets and wooden spoons) and let students try playing them after completing the word search. Discuss how different materials and shapes create different sounds. This hands-on experience makes the vocabulary memorable.
Printable Percussion Instruments Word Search Worksheet
Click the print button to print this percussion instruments word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.