Percussion sets are generally organized packages of related percussive instruments or accessories. They are usually identified in a few ways: by the brand, by the types of instruments included in the set, and by the type of music the set is used for. Percussion sets are different in each band and in each part of a percussion section, sometimes called a drum line. Electronic musicians also use digital percussion sets when programming electronic music. The most well recognized type of percussion set is usually a one-man drum set like the kind used for rock bands and jazz combos.
Though they often have the same basic parts, minor components of percussion sets can vary greatly from one another. When they are not in a pre-designed set sold by a drum manufacturer, the parts of a percussion set are generally built by a percussionist to suit his performance. Sets can be for one person to play, or they can be for a whole drum section.
In addition to the familiar organic percussion set, these sets can also be electronic, producing a digital sound from speakers instead of a live sound from a drum. An electronic musician uses software-based percussion sets created for his electronic percussion program to design programmed beats to use in music. Generally, each set is programmed to contain the instruments used in a chosen genre of music. Types of percussion sets in an electronic drum program might include a rock music drum set, a Latin set, or an electronic glitch percussion set.
The sit-down set that a drummer usually plays in a jazz or rock band is most often called a drum set. Drum sets can be as simple as a snare, a kick, and a cymbal or hi-hat, or they can be modified to include almost any type of auxiliary percussion instrument. Examples of auxiliary percussion include cowbells, wood blocks, and wind chimes. Most drum sets have several cymbals of different sizes, including the standard ride cymbal, splash cymbals, and crash cymbals. Bongos, congas, and shakers are percussion sound accessories that can lend themselves to a Latin or island-feeling drum set.
Sets of percussion accessories can also be called percussion sets. A musician can purchase sets of mallets for the percussive instrument called the marimba. Drummers can buy percussion accessories in sets designed for specific types of drum sets. Other sets include cymbal sets and drum head sets.