Which of the following is a percussion instrument?

1. Analyze the question The question asks which instrument is a percussion instrument. So we need to know how each instrument produces sound.

2. Explain the concept A percussion instrument makes sound when it is struck, hit, shaken, or scraped. Examples include drums, gongs, cymbals, xylophones, bells and shakers.

Other instruments are grouped by how they make sound:

• Wind instruments: sound comes from vibrating air columns (flute, organ, trumpet).
• String instruments: sound comes from vibrating strings (guitar, violin).
• Percussion instruments: sound comes from striking a body so that it vibrates.

3. Step-by-step solution

• A. Bell: The bell is struck by a clapper or hammer, and the metal body vibrates. This is percussion. ✔
• B. Flute: Air is blown across or into a tube, so it is a wind instrument. ✘
• C. Guitar: Strings are plucked or strummed, so it is a string instrument. ✘
• D. Piano: Hammers strike strings. Strictly, it is classified as a string instrument (often called a keyboard instrument), though it has percussive action. In physics-based classification, the sound-producing body is the vibrating string. ✘
• E. Organ: Air is forced through pipes, so it is a wind instrument. ✘

4. Answer The bell is the clearest percussion instrument.

5. Exam tip Ask yourself: "What is vibrating, and how was it set off?"

• Struck solid body → percussion
• Plucked or bowed string → string
• Vibrating air column → wind

The piano is the usual trap. Hammers strike its strings, but the strings are what vibrate, so it is classed as a string instrument. A bell is struck and the bell itself vibrates, so it is percussion.