Harmony

With an unusual combination of sculpture, play and music, our instruments make people stop and think – and they invite everyone, regardless of age, to try their hand at music. Integrated into architecture or landscape, they go beyond the boundaries of traditional play equipment and allow everyone to create music with their hands – a fun and sought-after experience. They are ideal for landscape architects, municipalities and playground designers looking for dynamic, interactive elements that add life and soul to outdoor spaces.

The instruments are made of durable and easy-to-maintain materials that resist both weather and vandalism. They are designed to require minimal maintenance and no expensive repairs. Where possible, they can be played with the hands – and where mallets are required, they are designed in one piece so that the ends cannot be separated. The mallets are attached with coated stainless steel cables. The instruments are made of stainless steel with high corrosion resistance, ensuring high-quality outdoor musical instruments with a long life and good performance.

Percussion Play's instruments are a great way to keep the arts alive in the community – and an even better way to bring people together. They give children and adults the opportunity to be creative together and experience the joy of creating music together. Music making promotes collaboration, interaction and creativity – important elements in creating closeness and shared joy. Music has no age limit or skill requirements – everyone can participate and contribute. Our focus on inclusive design means that from the start we think in terms of easily accessible, fun and meaningful experiences for as many people as possible.

We want to inspire musical play and curiosity – and create opportunities for meaningful musical experiences under the open sky. We are convinced that our instruments can be an alternative play experience in challenging environments such as city centers, public parks, forests and other public areas.

Yes, absolutely. All of our musical instruments are independent of electricity or other external energy sources and in the manufacturing process we use recycled or recyclable products to the extent possible.

Materials used in the manufacture of the musical instruments and in shipping:

• Aluminum: 60% is recycled “pre-consumer” *
• Stainless steel: 50%-70% recycled “pre-consumer”
• Wood: Only wood types from FSC certified suppliers.
• Polymers: ABS (thermoplastic) is approximately 80% recycled and can be recycled over and over again as it can be heated and melted many times.
• The PUR plastic (polyurethane) used in the manufacture of the clubs is 100% recyclable.

'“Pre-consumer”: Material that is recycled from production processes before it reaches the consumer.

Packaging: We use recyclable materials where possible. Most of our custom packaging is made from cardboard, and we use recycled filler to minimize the use of plastic packaging.

Playing an outdoor musical instrument from Percussion Play requires no special skills or age limit – it is therefore something that friends or families can do together, where everyone contributes and creates their own musical ideas and sounds.

We strongly believe that outdoor musical play ticks all the right boxes – it offers cognitive, emotional and physical play opportunities. Outdoor musical instruments provide an alternative play experience in a range of settings such as public parks, school playgrounds, forests and other public spaces. They promote collaboration and creative thinking – perfect for those looking to avoid conflict and instead create harmony in their outdoor environment – ​​and for playgrounds designed with inclusion in mind.

There are no rules to musical improvisation; the focus is on creativity and self-expression, and there are no easier instruments to learn than ours – yet they can produce complex and beautiful music. Our instruments are designed to be played by people of varying abilities and to promote play across generations. They provide a unique solution for inclusive playgrounds, music parks, community trails, churches and many other outdoor spaces.

Outdoor musical instruments provide a great opportunity for schools to integrate outdoor learning into their daily schedule, and children will love that music can be used outside the classroom. They make excellent playground equipment for both schools and daycare centers, and as learning and music resources in the great outdoors. Introducing a musical garden or outdoor “soundscape” will awaken and inspire children’s musical curiosity, while also enjoying the beneficial effects of nature.

Being outside is essential for both well-being and joy of life, and more nursing and care homes are now experiencing the benefits of creating dementia-friendly sensory gardens that both residents and visitors can enjoy – small oases that speak to all the senses through the use of colors, scents, textures and sounds. Music plays an important role in all aspects of life and is an essential part of any sensory environment. A musical sensory garden combines the benefits of a traditional sensory garden with the joy of playing musical instruments – an activity that is gaining more and more traction in nursing homes. Creating a sound garden for residents activates the senses and brings joy – an invitation to experience outdoor life in a new and exciting way. Music motivates, enriches, calms and energizes older people in nursing homes.

Musical instruments can be a great addition to any inclusive playground, ensuring that the playground is fun for children of all abilities. Percussion Play's outdoor musical instruments promote both physical and mental development through the exploration of sound and are accessible to children with both physical and developmental disabilities.

Good design is inclusive design. Percussion Play strives to develop outdoor musical instruments with inclusive play in mind – respecting the diversity of the people who will use them – without erecting any kind of barriers. Our instruments provide opportunities for physical, sensory, social and creative play for children who may not normally have access to traditional play equipment.

A really good inclusive playground is easily accessible and promotes play where everyone can join in.

Materials we use in production:

We design our outdoor musical instruments with a combination of materials.
We choose the best quality materials to create the right expression, the desired sound, durability and price.

The majority of our instruments are made from stainless steel, aluminum, GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic), ABS and hardwood.

About the materials we use:

GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic)

GRP is a composite material – a plastic reinforced with fine glass fibres. It is lightweight, extremely strong and robust with a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel. It does not warp, shrink or rust. It requires virtually no maintenance and is long-lasting, even in extreme conditions. GRP is also known as “fibreglass”, “composite plastic” and in the USA as “FRP”.

High strength – Corrosion-free – Very safe – Fire retardant – Cost-effective – Weather resistant – Durable

Percussion Play uses GRP to produce tones on the Duo, Marimba, Sansa Rimba, Cadenza and Wall Marimba. The sound is fast and distinctive.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a very durable material designed to withstand rain, sun, wind and snow. It is lightweight, has high strength and is resistant to corrosion. After iron, aluminum is the second most used metal in the world. This is because aluminum has a unique combination of attractive properties:

Low weight. High strength. Excellent formability. Easy to machine. Excellent resistance to corrosion.

Aluminum can be recycled over and over again without losing its unique properties.

Percussion Play uses aluminum to create tones on many instruments, including the Duo, Sansa Rimba, Cadenza, Mirror Chimes, Tubular Bells, Freechimes, Cadenza and Harmony. The sound is clear and bright.

Hardwood

Traditional instruments such as the Akadinda have tones made from hardwood. This wood is strong, durable and highly resistant to rot and termite attack with excellent weather resistance. When exposed to sunlight and weather, its bright red color gradually changes to a deep dark purple-brown.

We ensure that the hardwood we use has excellent acoustic properties and low sound absorption. Although it is often used in exclusive joinery and furniture production, it is also used in boat building, agricultural implements, decking and flooring – thanks to its beautiful appearance and high strength.

Maintenance is minimal – simply wash the wood with a brush and soapy water once or twice a year to remove algae and lichen, if necessary.

Percussion Play uses hardwood for the notes on the Grand Marimba, Tutti and Akadinda. This gives a strong, deep and resonant sound.

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)

ABS is a thermoplastic that is easy to machine and shape. It is ideal for applications where impact resistance and strength are required, and it is easy to paint and glue. The ABS material we use for the lids of our Rainbow Sambas and Conga drums has a very dense surface structure with good shock absorption, which gives a great sound when struck.

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

PVC is widely used in a wide range of industrial, technical and everyday products, including construction, transportation, packaging, electronics and the healthcare sector.

PVC is very durable and long-lasting and can be used in many different contexts. We use it for the resonators in Rainbow Sambas and Conga drums.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a steel alloy – meaning it is made up of several metals that have been fused together. The addition of chromium and nickel provides increased protection against the elements. Stainless steel does not corrode or rust, and is not discoloured by water like regular steel. It is shiny, easy to maintain and clean, making it ideal for harsh environments.

With proper care, stainless steel has an expected lifespan of over 100 years and is fully recyclable. Over 50% of new stainless steel comes from remelted steel scrap.

Percussion Play uses stainless steel for many of their instruments, including Babel Drums, Tembos, Bell Lyre, as well as for the frames and legs of other outdoor musical instruments.

CLICK HERE to download our Warranty & Maintenance documents.

Yes, Percussion Play warrants our materials and quality against defects from the date of delivery, provided that the installation is carried out by competent persons in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

We reserve the right to reject a warranty claim if documentation of regular inspection and maintenance cannot be provided.

Products and components may be repaired or replaced on an Ex Works (EXW) basis and may be subject to the return of the defective parts to Percussion Play or an authorized dealer.

The warranty does not affect your statutory rights.

Limited Warranties:

25-year limited warranty
Percussion Play offers an exceptional 25-year limited warranty on metal parts in the support of stands and frames against structural failure caused by weather-related degradation or defective materials or workmanship.

10-year limited warranty
On wood, composite material, aluminum and stainless steel members (including tangents and fasteners) against structural failures caused by weather-related degradation or defective materials or workmanship.

2-year limited warranty
On mallets and components used to produce sound on the instruments, as well as associated fasteners – also related to the keyboards.

These limited warranties do not cover color fading, damage caused by excessive wear and tear, vandalism, or neglect.

CLICK HERE to download our Warranty & Maintenance documents.

The purpose of safety mats is to cushion the impact of a child’s accidental fall, thereby reducing the risk of serious injury. However, our instruments are designed to be played on while standing on the ground – they are not intended to be climbed on. Therefore, they do not require shock-absorbing fall mats as per BS EN 1177.

Additionally, all play equipment must have a recommended “free standing zone” for safety reasons. This zone is a minimum area around the equipment to reduce the risk of collision. If the equipment is installed correctly and in accordance with our installation instructions, we can confirm that it has been independently inspected and complies with the dimensional requirements of the BS EN 1176 standard.

It is also important to note that since the instruments will be used frequently, if installed in grass, some form of ground protection, such as grass reinforcement mats, should be considered to avoid muddy areas.

Finally, it is important to remember that any organization or company that establishes or manages a children's play area has responsibility for overall safety – from the initial design and selection of equipment to installation, ongoing maintenance and inspection.

Percussion Play instruments provide schools with an excellent opportunity to integrate outdoor learning into their daily teaching. Our outdoor musical instruments work both as fantastic playground equipment for schools and daycare centers and as pedagogical tools for outdoor learning and music education. In our whitepaper Music Matters , we focus on why music education is so important.

Our musical instruments are designed to withstand the elements and be left outside all year round. They contribute to creating outdoor environments that enhance children's health, well-being, development and learning. Children will love experiencing how music can also unfold outside the classroom – and perhaps engage musically in ways that are not possible indoors.

Thanks to the clever design and use of the pentatonic scale, our instruments are so easy to play that children can develop musical skills without having to worry about technical ability. It shows children what can be expressed and achieved through music. With pentatonic tuned instruments, technique is not a challenge, and dissonance is not an issue – it all sounds good. Once you have experienced how easy it is to create beautiful melodies and harmonies with pentatonic notes, making music becomes both possible and fun.

Music in the early years supports children's overall development and strengthens their concentration, memory and listening skills. To promote both physical and cognitive development and create a good foundation for rhythmic and aural skills, all children must have the opportunity to discover their musicality.

With a little imagination, music can be woven into many different contexts throughout the day. By creating areas for music and sound, both indoors and outdoors, music becomes a natural part of children's everyday lives. A musical garden room or an outdoor "soundscape" can inspire and awaken the joy of music - while giving children all the benefits that come with being in nature. Check out our Cases and see examples such as the learning environment at Østervangskolen in Hadsten or the accessible music garden at the Enghaveskolen Special School in Odense.

Children are given the opportunity to explore new sounds while enjoying the light and fresh air. A musical playground provides children with early interaction and positive experiences with music – a place where they can explore, create and develop their own musical ideas and sounds. It maximizes the child’s musical potential during the most developmental period – and opens the door to the joy of music and the feeling of empowerment through creative expression.

You know you want a good combination of outdoor musical instruments, but you're unsure how to best put the instruments together so that they fit together harmoniously. Don't worry - we've already done that work for you! Our ensembles or collections of outdoor musical instruments make it easy to make the right choice - and at the same time you get a financial saving in the bargain.

Our ensembles and collections range from just three instruments – as in the Rainbow Trio Ensemble – to our largest and most versatile solution, the Septet Ensemble , which can accommodate more than twelve players at a time. We have collections that are perfect for urban spaces and don’t require mallets, as well as collections for those with big ideas but small budgets!

Trust us – anyone can play our instruments! Anyone can create beautiful and original music by playing them. Anyone can surprise and impress others. Anyone can have fun and express themselves through music.

If you're like me and don't feel particularly musically inclined, learning to play the guitar or piano can seem overwhelming. But everyone loves music and appreciates the heart and soul that goes into creating it.

Of the many who say things like, "Oh, I'm not musical at all," "I can't hold a note," or "I have no sense of rhythm," it turns out that only a very small percentage are truly unmusical. Many people just think they can't play music. Maybe you're one of them. Why? Maybe you had traditional music lessons as a child and at some point got frustrated or confused and stopped. But just because you stopped then, doesn't mean you have to give up on your dream of playing music.

Composer Edgard Varèse defined music as “organized sound” and said: “To ears accustomed to the old, new music has always sounded like noise.” So if you want to make music, just start making organized noise – and we can help you!

We believe that music should be accessible to everyone. At Percussion Play, all of our instruments are designed to be played by both experienced and budding musicians – in short, anyone with a love of music. You don’t need to know any notes, keys or scales – you just need to want to try. It’s never been easier to make music that sounds good. Why? The most important reason is the use of the pentatonic scale . It consists of five notes and is found in almost all music, all over the world – and it has virtually no notes that sound discordant together. In other words, you can play almost any note from a pentatonic scale in almost any combination – and it will still sound good.

It's great to be able to improvise with a scale that always sounds good.

Ground mounting involves digging a hole and installing the instrument posts directly into the ground, which are then cast in place with concrete.

Surface mounting is ideal when digging into the ground is not possible (e.g. concrete paving or more expensive/safer paving that you do not want to damage). The supplied "surface plates" can be fixed/drilled into the desired location using suitable ground anchors - bolts or brackets (not included) - and provide a quick and easy solution.

You must specify the type of mounting you require when ordering your instruments. Product-specific mounting instructions are included with each product, but all of our mounting instructions are also available by contacting us.

We want our outdoor musical instruments to be fun and easy to play for all age groups – from kindergarten children to seniors.

The dimensions of all Percussion Play instruments can be found under the large image on each product page. For example, see our Duo xylophone. On the small images, click to the right until you get to the dimensions.

The standard height of the instruments is designed to suit children from about 7 years old up to adults. If you want to make them suitable for younger children, you can simply place the instrument a little deeper in the ground during installation. This is all clearly explained in the installation instructions.

If you’re looking for musical instruments specifically designed for younger children, take a look at our Rainbow Trio . These colorful and inviting instruments take up less space than regular models and require a smaller budget – making them ideal for smaller institutions like nurseries, kindergartens and daycare centers. You can even bring the outdoors inside by mounting the instruments on a wall indoors.

If you are looking for high-quality outdoor musical instruments for a sensory garden, playground, forest path or nursing home, we can create what you have in mind. For landscape architects and designers of gardens or playgrounds who want to create a tailor-made outdoor music project, it is crucial to have a partner by their side. With our unique expertise in design and production, Percussion Play delivers tailor-made music solutions – from idea to finished product.

This service can range from small changes to our existing designs, such as different colors or tone scales, to the creation of completely unique instruments.

A good example of a custom-designed solution is the carillon that plays "I know a lark's nest" and which we created in connection with the anniversary of the composer Carl Nielsen's 150th birthday in 2015. It became so popular that we created the standard product My Tunes – carillon with a great sound, where the notes are arranged in sequence, so that a well-known melody is played, simply by striking the notes in sequence. My Tunes can be adapted to a specific location or target group and is a playful and unique feature that creates a gathering point for generations – perfect for e.g. family attractions, theme parks, museums or farms.

If you have an idea that is not in our standard range, please contact us. We love new ideas and are constantly developing exciting new outdoor musical instruments – both large and small. We can produce your order especially for you in our workshop, with no minimum quantity requirements. We are convinced that the only limits are your imagination. Let us help you bring your sound sculpture to life – and have fun doing it!