定音鼓 Timpani

定音鼓是由一個銅製或黃銅製的共鳴胴（似面盆狀），上面緊繃著小牛皮或是塑膠製的面皮。皮面由木頭圈固定再用金屬環套住，並可用幾個螺絲釘調節鬆緊度，演奏者就是藉此來調節定音鼓的音高。現代的定音鼓則是用踏板來控制音高，甚至可利用踏板製造出滑音的效果，但不論是古代手調式或現代踏板式的定音鼓都具有相同的音域和音質。定音鼓通常以兩個以上為一組，演奏時使用兩支前頭包著毛氈的木製鼓棒，常用基本奏法有單奏及滾奏。 

The timpani, also known as kettledrums, consists of a resonant copper or brass bowl-shaped body with a tight drumhead made of calf skin or plastic. The drumhead is secured to a wooden hoop and held in place with metal rings. The tension of the drumhead can be adjusted using several screws, allowing the player to control the pitch of the timpani. In modern timpani, the pitch can be controlled using a pedal, which can even create glissando effects. However, both the traditional hand-tuned timpani and modern pedal-tuned timpani have the same range and quality of sound.

Timpani are usually played in sets of two or more. The player uses two wooden drumsticks covered with felt at the front. The basic techniques commonly used include single strokes and rolls.

木琴 Xylophone

木琴是將不同長度與厚度的硬木板，按音階的順序排列在一框架上（排列方式與鋼琴的鍵盤相同），可發出比鐵琴低八度的音，其實音約比記譜高一個八度。演奏時以纏線的擊槌敲打，音色會因擊槌頭的質料不同而異，有木製、橡膠及毛氈等種類，其音色優美而奇特。 木琴用高音譜表記譜。 

The xylophone is a musical instrument that consists of wooden bars of different lengths and thicknesses arranged in order of the musical scale on a frame (similar to the arrangement of keys on a piano). It can produce tones that are one octave lower than those of a glockenspiel, and its fundamental pitch is approximately one octave higher than notated. When played, the wooden bars are struck with mallets wrapped in cord, and the sound varies depending on the material of the mallet heads, which can be made of wood, rubber, felt, and other materials. The xylophone produces a beautiful and distinctive tone. It is notated in the treble clef.

鐵片琴 Carillon / Glockenspiel

鐵片琴又稱鐘琴。其構造原理與木琴相同，只是將硬木板換置成鋼鐵製的音板，用小槌敲擊發音，聲音輕脆，餘音短促，沒有固定音域 ; 小型的為兩個八度，大型的為三個八度，實音比記譜高兩個八度。 

The glockenspiel, also known as the metallophone or orchestra bells, has a similar construction principle to the xylophone. However, instead of wooden bars, it features metal plates made of steel or other materials. The glockenspiel produces sounds when struck with small hammers, resulting in clear and crisp tones with short sustain. It does not have a fixed range; smaller versions typically span two octaves, while larger ones cover three octaves. The fundamental pitch of the glockenspiel is two octaves higher than notated.

大鼓 Bass Drum

大鼓也稱大軍鼓，是管弦樂中最大型的低音鼓，直徑55-80公分不等，鼓身有木製和金屬製兩種（呈空心滾輪狀），上面緊繃者獸皮。演奏方法有單敲及滾奏（滾奏時需將大鼓斜放），通常用單槌擊奏居多。大鼓別有的低沈音色成為樂隊低音背景節奏的 重要樂器。另外，大鼓也常被使用在製造音樂效果上，例如表達歡樂、激動的情緒或者是模擬打雷聲及炮聲等。大鼓的餘音很長，演奏者需依照音樂的需要來控制音效的長短。 大鼓用一線記譜。

The bass drum is the largest and deepest-pitched drum in the orchestra. It has a diameter ranging from 55 to 80 centimeters and can be made of either wood or metal (typically in the shape of a hollow cylinder) with a taut animal skin drumhead. The bass drum can be played using single strokes or rolls (when rolling, the drum is tilted), though single strikes are more common. The distinctive deep tone of the bass drum makes it an essential instrument for providing the low-end rhythmic foundation in an ensemble.

Moreover, the bass drum is often used to create special sound effects in music, such as expressing joy, excitement, or simulating thunder and cannon sounds. The bass drum produces a long sustain, and the player needs to control the duration of the sound based on the musical requirements. The bass drum is notated on a single staff.

小鼓 Side Drum / Snare Drum

小鼓又稱為小軍鼓，其構造和大鼓相似，鼓身呈圓桶狀，鼓面同樣以獸皮製成，於鼓底裝有一組可調節音色的彈簧。若將彈簧拉緊，音色會變得清脆；若將彈簧放鬆，音色則變得黯淡；另外還有另一種改變音色的方法，那就是在鼓面上放置一層布面，使其音色略帶沙沙聲且變得朦朧。演奏時通常用兩支硬木鼓槌擊奏，在舞曲節奏中常換成鋼絲材質的擊槌敲奏，加強節奏的效果；小鼓和大鼓一樣，也常被使用於製造 特別效果。小鼓其響亮且具穿透力的音色是它最大的特點，是管弦樂團和軍樂團的常規樂器。小鼓用一線記譜。 

The snare drum, also known as the side drum or military drum, has a similar construction to the bass drum. It has a cylindrical drum body and is also covered with animal skin. At the bottom of the drum, there is a set of springs that can be adjusted to alter the tone. If the springs are tightened, the tone becomes crisp; if they are loosened, the tone becomes muffled. Additionally, another method to change the tone is by placing a layer of fabric on the drumhead, which adds a slight buzzing sound and creates a more muted tone.

Typically, the snare drum is played with two wooden drumsticks. In dance music rhythms, the drumsticks are often replaced with wire brushes to enhance the rhythmic effect. Similar to the bass drum, the snare drum is frequently used to create special effects. Its distinctive characteristic is its bright and penetrating sound, making it a standard instrument in orchestras and military bands. The snare drum is notated on a single staff.

三角鐵 Triangle

三角鐵主要由一根鋼條折成三角形所製成，有大小兩種：大的音色稍暗沉，小的聲音較高且清脆。演奏時用一根金屬槌敲打在三角鐵上即可發出聲音。三角鐵用一線記譜。

The triangle is primarily made from a steel rod bent into a triangular shape. There are two sizes: the larger one produces a slightly darker tone, while the smaller one produces a higher and crisper sound. When played, the triangle is struck with a metal beater to produce sound. The triangle is notated on a single staff.