Short answers, pulled from the story.
The oldest known musical instrument in human history is a percussion instrument. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest humans created sound by striking objects together, a practice that predates the invention of the bow and arrow by tens of thousands of years.
The Hornbostel-Sachs system divides percussion into idiophones which produce sound through the vibration of their entire body and membranophones which produce sound when a membrane or head is struck. This system uses the term percussion at lower levels to identify instruments struck with a non-sonorous object like a hand or stick.
Edgard Varèse created the piece Ionisation in the early 20th century. This groundbreaking work utilized air-raid sirens and other unconventional sound sources to create a new sonic landscape.
Instruments such as the marimba vibraphone and glockenspiel are tuned to specific notes allowing them to perform complex melodic lines and harmonic progressions. The marimba with its wooden bars and resonators can play intricate solos that rival any orchestral instrument.
The Susu people of Guinea play the djembe drum which carries centuries of history and cultural significance. Its shape and sound reflect the traditions of West Africa.
Evelyn Glennie is a renowned percussion soloist who has demonstrated that the human body can be the ultimate percussion instrument. She uses her hands feet and even her skin to produce a wide range of sounds.