A percussion instrument including a box with at least one wall configured to define a resonant chamber. The at least one wall defines a support area about an opening into the resonant chamber with the support area extending in a support plane. A playing surface is configured to be mounted to the support area to close the opening such that an inner surface of the playing surface extends along the support plane. At least one arcuate string is mounted relative to the at least one wall at an angle such that a portion of the arcuate string is in biased engagement with a contact surface defined by an inner surface of the playing surface or an inner surface of a portion of the at least one wall.