18-07-2025

Essential Guide to Renting a Percussion Instrument for Your Child

Choosing the right instrument for your child sometimes feel difficult, especially when you are staring at a long percussion musical instruments list with no idea where to start.  

Many parents rush into buying, but after a few weeks later find that their child has lost interest, or worse, the instrument is not the right fit. In fact, based on a recent survey, nearly 31% of parents regretted their instrument purchase within the first 45 days due to mismatched interest or high upfront costs. That’s money and time wasted.  

Now here is what we have seen work- smart parents choose to rent a music instrument first. It is low-risk, flexible, and gives kids the freedom to explore without pressure.  

So, this insightful and small post will talk highlight all the different types of percussion music instruments and share where to find the best options to rent percussion musical instruments easily.

Let's get started.

What Are Percussion Musical Instruments?

Percussion musical instruments are a category of instruments that produce sound when they are struck, shaken, or scraped. They can be played using hands, sticks, or mallets, and are essential for creating rhythm and dynamics in many musical styles. 

Percussion family instruments include drums, cymbals, xylophones, maracas, and tambourines. Some instruments, like the timpani or marimba, can produce different pitches, while others, such as the snare drum, provide a single sound. 

The percussion family instruments are important in orchestras, bands, and various world music traditions, providing both rhythm and accentuating melodies with their unique sounds.

Also Read - The Top 6 Australian Musical Instruments You Should Know

How Does Renting an Instrument Works?

Renting an instrument is an affordable and flexible way to enjoy playing music without the need to buy the equipment outright. See how the process works: - 

Choose Your Instrument 

• You can select the instrument you want from a music store or an online rental service. 

Rental Agreement

• Rental agreements usually last for a set period, which can be monthly, quarterly, or annually.  

Payment Structure

• You will make regular payments, with the fees varying based on the instrument’s quality and brand.  

End of Rental Term Options

• At the end of the rental period, you have several options- you can return the instrument, exchange it for a different one, or, in some cases, you can opt for musical instrument hire at discounted rate.  

Percussion rental is an excellent choice for beginners or those who are uncertain about committing to an instrument long-term. 

Did you know? There are various families of musical instruments and percussion is one of them. Checkout the 5 different types of musical instruments.

List of The Percussion Musical Instruments With Pictures And Names

There are various instruments in the percussion family. Here we have listed down the most popular percussion musical instruments with names and pictures: -

• Piano
• Xylophone
• Snare Drum
• Bass Drum
• Timpani
• Cymbals
• Triangle
• Tambourine
• Chimes
• Celesta

Let's explore in detail on these top 10 percussion instruments list with pictures: - 

1. Piano

• The piano is a percussion instrument that features keys connected to hammers, which strike strings to produce both melody and harmony.
• While it is often categorised as a string instrument, its sound is generated by the percussive action of striking.

2. Xylophone

• The xylophone consists of wooden bars arranged like a keyboard, with each bar producing a distinct pitch when struck with mallets.
• It is classified as a tuned percussion instrument, used for both rhythmic and melodic purposes.

3. Snare Drum

• The snare drum is a small, shallow drum equipped with metal wires (snares) stretched across the bottom head.
• This arrangement creates its distinctive sharp, rattling sound, which provides crisp rhythmic accents in orchestras, bands, and popular music.

4. Bass Drum

• The bass drum is the largest drum in the percussion family, delivering deep, resonant, and powerful beats.
• Primarily unpitched, it serves as the heartbeat of many musical ensembles, keeping time and adding emphasis.

5. Timpani

• Timpani, also known as kettle drums, are large, tuneable drums that produce specific pitches by adjusting the tension of the drumhead.
• They play an essential role in orchestras, creating dramatic and melodic effects.

6. Cymbals

• Cymbals are round, usually metal plates that can be crashed together or struck to produce shimmering, indefinite pitches.
• They add dramatic accents and dynamic range to musical performances.

7. Triangle

• The triangle is a small steel bar bent into a triangular shape, struck with a metal beater to produce a bright, shimmering tone.
• As an untuned instrument, it is often used to provide rhythmic highlights.

8. Tambourine

• The tambourine features a round frame with skin stretched over one side and metal jingles attached around the edge.
• It produces sound through shaking or striking and is commonly used for rhythmic drive and texture.

9. Chimes

• Chimes, or tubular bells, are long metal tubes that are struck with a hammer, each tuned to a specific pitch.
• They are utilised in orchestras and bands to emulate the sound of church bells.

10. Celesta

• The celesta is a keyboard percussion instrument that produces delicate, bell-like tones when felt hammers strike metal plates.
• It is often used for magical or sparkling effects in orchestral and solo music.

Renting a Percussion Instrument For Your Child- Things To Know

When you opt for renting a percussion instrument for your child in Australia. There are various queries that comes to your mind. Here we have listed down some of the common thoughts and their answers. It will help you in making the right decision to rent wooden percussion musical instruments easily.

What is the easiest percussion instrument to learn?

The tambourine is one of the easiest percussion musical instruments to learn for children, requiring minimal technique and producing sound instantly by shaking or tapping.

What is the best percussion instrument to start with?

The xylophone is one of the best percussion instruments to start with. Its colourful bars help children learn musical notes while improving hand-eye coordination and basic melody understanding. 

What is the coolest percussion instrument? 

The ocean drum stands out for its unique ability to produce sounds that mimic ocean waves. This percussion instruments drums improves children’s imaginations and making music more engaging. 

Which is the main percussion instrument? 

The snare drum is the main percussion instrument due to its sharp, energetic sound and unique role in setting the rhythm during performances. 

What are the 4 instruments of percussion?

Four commonly found percussion instruments in children’s sets are the drum, maracas, triangle, and cymbals, each offering distinct sounds and ways to play. 

What is the oldest known percussion instrument?

The maraca is considered one of the oldest percussion instruments, originating in indigenous cultures and still used today to add rhythm in various musical traditions. 

What is the most common percussion instrument?

Drums are the most widely recognised and frequently played percussion family instrument, featured in nearly every musical genre and ensemble around the globe. 

What is the most unique instrument in the percussion family?

The rainmaker or rain stick, filled with beads and seeds, is especially unique for its soothing, rain-like sound, often used for sensory experiences and relaxation in music classes.

How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Percussion Instrument For Your Child?

So, how much to rent an instrument in Australia?   

Renting an instrument in Australia usually costs between AUD 20 and AUD 100 per week, depending on the type and quality of the instrument. 

You can you hire musical instruments form the percussion family, as it is the largest group in the orchestra. 

Renting a percussion instrument for your child cost from InstruShare, the best online percussion instrument store in Australia, will be: -  

• Electric Drum Kit: $30.00 per week
• Snare Drum: $45.00 per week
• Timpani Set: $90.00 per week

Rent Affordable and Top-Quality Percussion Instrument For Your Child From InstruShare

Finding the right percussion instruments in Australia is not difficult now, especially when you are trying to support your child’s musical journey.  

At InstruShare, we make it easy and budget-friendly through our trusted percussion rental options. Whether you are looking for short-term percussion hire or planning a longer commitment, we connect you with verified owners and only list quality-checked gear. 

You do not have to visit every percussion instruments store or scroll endlessly through platforms. Our platform brings together the best percussion instruments online in one place, saving you time and effort. Your child gets the chance to try, play, and grow without the heavy costs of buying.  

So, why to wait? Browse InstruShare today and rent a percussion instrument your child will love.