Anyone can learn any instrument, but getting started is the hardest and most crucial part.  These characteristics tend to make beginning easier.

Percussion consists largely of drums and keyboard instruments, in addition to the "toys" like tambourine, triangle, woodblock, and cymbals.  While all instruments require fine motor skills, the ability to play in time and command one's hands (and feet) to play back what their ears hear is imperative from the moment they begin this journey.  Students with poor hand-eye coordination usually struggle to be percussionists since their eyes need to be on their music, and, unlike the other instruments, their hands don't stay in place. The ability to blindly "feel" your way around a keyboard while staring at music, keeping perfect timing, and a strong attention to detail are all essential.  Because percussion includes such a diverse set of instruments and techniques to learn, and the instrument leaves very little room for mistakes when playing with the rest of the ensemble, all percussionists are required to take weekly lessons outside of the band class, and should be prepared to continue to do so as they expand to the marching band's drum line, learn drum set, marimba/xylophone/vibraphone, and eventually join the Percussion Ensemble.

Personality: Good Percussionists tend to be the most responsible students in the band.  They are detail-oriented, organized, determined, and they don't mind arriving early and staying late to setup and tear down their instruments.  They're usually independent as they often play a part that no one else is playing, and the are not afraid to be heard.  Percussionists are usually active go-getters that find themselves highly involved, naturally leading them to being in many different ensembles.  Percussionists need to be self-directed and able to take criticism; there are few instruments that can bring an entire orchestra to a halt with just a few misplaced notes, but nearly all of them are Percussion instruments.