What are cymbals made of?
Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various copper alloys. Most cymbals produce an indefinite pitch, though small disc-shaped types such as crotales sound a definite note.
Questions about Cymbal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How old are cymbals and where do they come from?
Representations of cymbals appear in reliefs and paintings from the Armenian Highlands dating to the 7th century BC. Similar images come from Larsa, Babylon, Assyria, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome, and references also appear throughout the Bible.
How did cymbals enter European orchestral music?
Turkish janissaries used cymbals in the 14th century or earlier. By the 17th century such cymbals appeared in European music, and by the mid 18th century they were common in military bands and orchestras. Since the 19th century, composers have written increasingly demanding roles for them.
What is the difference between a heavy and a thin cymbal?
Heavier cymbals have louder volume, more cut, and better stick articulation. Thin cymbals produce a fuller sound, lower pitch, and faster response. Size also matters: larger cymbals are generally louder and sustain longer.
What is the first known use of a sponge mallet on a cymbal?
The first known instance of using a sponge-headed mallet on a cymbal is the final chord of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique.
How many times does the Shahnameh mention cymbals?
The Shahnameh, composed around 977 and 1010 CE, mentions cymbals at least 14 times. Most appearances place them in a military context, used to frighten enemies or celebrate victory, and the text repeatedly calls them "Indian cymbals."