The following titles and sites will be useful for finding general information about percussion instruments and their literature. 

• University of Kentucky Percussion Studies Repertoire List
• Barnhart, Stephen L., and John Gillespie. Percussionists: A Biographical Dictionary. Ref ML 399 .B38 2000
• Bajzek, Dieter. Percussion: An Annotated Bibliography with Special Emphasis on Contemporary Notation and Performance. Ref ML 128 .P23 B34 1988
• Beck, John, editor. Encyclopedia of Percussion. Ref ML 102 .P4 E5 2007
• Bowles, Edmund A. The Timpani: A History in Pictures and Documents. Ref ML 1036 .B36 2002
• Girsberger, Russ, and Anthony J. Cirone. A Practical Guide to Percussion Terminology. Ref ML 102 .P4 G57 1998
• Holland, James. Practical Percussion: A Guide to the Instruments and Their Sources. Ref ML 1030 .H65 2005
• Larrick, Geary. Biographical Essays on Twentieth-Century Percussionists. Ref ML 105 .L35 1992
• Meza, Fernando A. Percussion Discography: An International Compilation of Solo and Chamber Percussion Music. Ref ML 156.4 .P4 MS1990
• Combs, F. Michael. Solo and Ensemble Literature for Percussion. ML 128 .P23 C65 1972
• Skei, Allen B. Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments of the Orchestra: A Bibliographic Guide. Ref ML 128 .W5 S6 1985