Abstract

The paper presents a complete analysis of the systematic classification of percussion instruments, namely the two main subdivisions of percussion: the membranophones and idiophones divisions. It further discusses both the ancient Indian and modern Western organological systems and how they classified instruments by their methods of sound production, structural features, and performance practices. It examines the historical evolution of the classification of instruments from the foundational systems of Bharata Muni in the Natya Shastra (circa 200 BCE-200 CE) to modern systems such as Hornbostel-Sachs (1914) and discusses the theory of instrument classification from both Indian and Western scholars’ points of view. The combination emphasizes the relationship between traditional and scientific approaches, a concept that shows classification of instruments represents not only acoustic physical properties but also the cultural and aesthetic values of musical traditions. Lastly, this paper presents a detailed organological study of membranophones and idiophones, a concept providing full structure from the earliest to modern perspectives, hence contributing to the broad understanding of percussion instruments across musical traditions worldwide.