Welcome to the Percussion Play Blog

We hope you'll be a regular visitor as we share stories about the instruments we make and the people who play them.

This is where we share our passion for music in the great outdoors! We'll share with you details of exciting new outdoor music projects and designs from around the globe. We'll share with you information about the instruments we sell and a little about the inspiration behind them

Most importantly, this blog is about what we love to do the most - help you create new and exciting ways to bring music to the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading, visiting, commenting and contributing - we’re excited to have you here!

April 2 World Autism Awareness Day and World Autism Month

Every year, April is celebrated as World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. This year marks the 17th anniversary of this special day. Its purpose is to raise awareness, increase understanding, and promote acceptance of individuals with Autism. The ultimate goal is to create a world where autistic individuals are fully supported, valued, and celebrated, and we must all work together to achieve this. Today, we want to take this opportunity to discuss the benefits of music and music-making for children and adults with Autism.

Music therapy is a form of holistic healing that benefits people in various ways. It can help with cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs. Many studies have shown that music therapy can alleviate symptoms and provide inner calm to people. As a result, it has become increasingly popular, especially for children and adults with Autism.

Research has demonstrated that playing musical instruments and participating...


Guest Blog Article Emphasizes the Benefit of Outdoor Music Making to Camp Guests of All Abilities

Percussion Play was recently invited to write a Guest Blog: Music Around The Camp Fire for the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey.

Camp leaders across the country have acknowledged the effectiveness of music as a tool for learning. However, research indicates that actively participating in music-making - as opposed to just listening to music - can have a greater impact on a person's emotional and educational development. The article highlights how this is particularly relevant for children with learning differences who may face difficulties in communicating and learning in their daily lives. Engaging in music-making provides a unique opportunity for individuals with learning differences to experiment with cause and effect while also experiencing the joy of creating music, either alone or with others.


Getting Musical on World Book Day 2024

In the UK and Ireland, today – 7th March 2024 - is World Book Day!

The inaugural World Book Day was held in the UK and Ireland in 1997. Since then, it has been instrumental in promoting the joy of reading among young people. World Book Day is a worldwide celebration of authors, illustrators, publishers, and readers. Moreover, it is a registered charity whose ultimate aim is to provide every child and young person with a book they can call their own.

It is recognized in over 100 countries, most of whom celebrate the day on April 23. Here in the UK, however, children in schools, bookshops, and beyond all over the country will be taking part in the event today: dressing up as favorite book characters, participating in activities, receiving book tokens, and having lots of creative, imaginative, and literary fun.

Amid all this creative buzz, what better time to get children outside and musical on the school playground?! Music and poetry have – since antiquity – been regarded as...


Percussion Play's revolutionary new app, 'Composer AR' set to transform the design of outdoor music spaces


Percussion Play has unveiled a revolutionary new app called Composer AR, which introduces a whole new level of creativity and design for outdoor music spaces. Using the power of augmented reality, Composer AR allows users to visualize and experiment with different musical arrangements in real time, making it easier to create engaging and interactive outdoor music spaces. Whether you're a landscape architect, designer, music teacher, or simply someone who loves music and wants to add a new dimension to your outdoor space, Composer AR is an essential tool to explore. The app is now available and ready to transform your outdoor music experience!

Created to bring outdoor music space design to your fingertips, with just a few taps, you can create your project proposal, record it, and share it with the world. The 'Product...


Outdoor Music-Making at 2024 ACA Conference in New Orleans

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the American Camps Association Annual Conference held in the vibrant city of New Orleans. Amidst the crazy festivities of the Mardi Gras, we managed to catch the attention of many conference attendees with the outdoor musical instruments that we brought along. We had the opportunity to engage in several interesting conversations about the possibilities of introducing music-making activities in the great outdoors at summer camps.

Making music outdoors provides campers with numerous benefits. Firstly, it allows them to connect with nature and engage in sensory experiences that help them develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. Secondly, music-making activities help campers enhance their creativity, self-expression, and communication skills. Lastly, outdoor music-making activities are a great way to promote teamwork, collaboration, and social skills among campers. Overall, incorporating music-making activities in the great outdoors...


Rocking Winter: How Outdoor Music Instruments Help Children Stay Healthy, Boost Moods, Aid Learning, and Encourage Self-Expression Through the Colder Months.

Although it's getting colder in the Northern Hemisphere, it shouldn't deter us from enjoying the outdoors. Since winter is upon us, December may not seem like the ideal month to consider buying outdoor musical instruments or highlighting the significance of children playing outside. However, as the weather gets colder, planning outdoor activities for children becomes increasingly important. Despite the common misconception that cold air can cause illness, studies have shown that exposure to fresh air is actually good for our health. When people spend extended periods together indoors in poorly ventilated, heated spaces, illnesses and germs can spread easily from person to person, particularly among young children and older adults. During the winter season, it is crucial for children to experience creative outdoor play during their school day, especially since the daylight hours are shorter. Outdoor music activities during winter can be an exciting creative adventure for children.

Percussion...