An electronic percussion instrument has an electronic drum trigger pad (10) connected to a drum module (11, Fig. 4) for generating tomes. The pad has a tensioned, magnetic membrane (16) forming a playing surface and electromagnetic transducer pickup (36) positioned adjacent but spaced from a surface of the membrane. Vibration of the membrane relative to the pickup causes the pickup to produce an electronic signal. The drum module interprets the signal output by the pickup (36) to electronically generate a tone. The signal form the pickup may be converted to digital for use by the drum module in triggering generation of a tone and may be processed. An electronic drum trigger pad (210, Fig. 11) having a housing with a ventilated region adjacent the drum head though which pressurised air can dissipate when the drumhead is struck is also disclosed.