Percussion is the general term for struck instruments, including those outside the drum kit. Shakers, tambourines, congas, and cowbells all enrich the rhythm and the texture of a song.
The basic idea
Its main role is to support the framework built by the kick and the snare and to add fine movement and accents. Think about which frequency range and which beats you are supporting rather than about how many hits you add.
Using it in performance and programming
Place a shaker in eighth notes over a drum pattern and compare how the groove changes. Keeping the velocities from being too uniform sounds more natural.
Difference from related terms
Percussion is the broad name for struck instruments, while drums often refers to the drum kit that includes kick and snare.
Rather than filling the gaps in a song, add it with the idea of gently supporting the flow of the rhythm and it will sit well.
