I am currently composing an ensemble piece in the Gagaku style (traditional Japanese court music). I am writing it for standard western instruments though, so it is easier to get performed. So I have been looking into approximating the timbres of Japanese instruments using our own instruments.

So basically, I have found a piece by Takemitsu as a model of the sound world I am going for. I have worked out everything but percussion and would like some help?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNlCgH9tuJ8...eature=related- the movement starts at 3:21.

In terms of a most basic analysis, I hear 3 percussion instruments; a large drum, a small one and something metal. None are pitched.

I don't know what the majority of percussion instruments actually sound like and can't find any examples where I can hear anything clear enough to judge. So basically I'm asking which instruments you would use to create those 3 timbres?

Any suggestions or direction to a site with sound files or something for me to judge myself would be greatly appreciated.

The only thing I know about Japanese percussion is....taiko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiko). The thing is, from what I've seen, there are tons and tons of types of taiko. Some are like toys; very small, with not a lot of sound in the bass. That's what might be producing the conga-like timbre. The thing that sounds remotely like a timpani might just be a larger taiko. I also think I heard a muted triangle (oh pit percussion how I miss you....).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-6KC2RdGQ
(as usual, the thing you use to hit the drum with is important).

I know of Japanese percussion. The smaller drum is likely to be the kakko and the lower the da-daiko. The metal one is probably a shoko. But, were I to write for these instruments my composition would be difficult to perform because they are pretty specialist. So I'm looking for non-Japanese instruments that sound like that.

The muted triangle sounds like a good idea for imitating the shoko though... thanks!