An idiophone is a musical instrument that produces sound from the vibrations of a solid material, such as wood, metal, glass or ceramic, and without the use of reeds, membranes or strings. All idiophones are percussion instruments, and most percussion instruments other than drums are idiophones.
Idiophones can be classified according to the source of the vibration: concussion, friction, percussion, plucked, scraped, shaken, stamped, and stamping. For example, concussion idiophones produce sound by striking together two objects both of which are capable of vibration, such as cymbals. Percussion idiophones are made to vibrate by being struck with a mallet, stick, hand, or other non-vibrating object and include wood blocks, bells, triangles and marimbas. An example of a stamping idiophone is tap dance shoes.