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| Cymbal | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cymbal |
| Classification | Percussion instrument |
| Developed | Ancient Near East, Bronze Age |
| Related | Drum, Gong, Triangle (musical instrument), Hi-hat |
Cymbal is a concave, usually metallic percussion instrument used in ensembles from orchestras to rock bands. It produces a range of timbres and dynamics depending on size, alloy, and striking technique, and appears in musical traditions worldwide. Cymbals contribute to rhythm, color, and accents in scores by composers and arrangers from Ludwig van Beethoven to John Bonham and are central in percussion sections of ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.
Cymbals have archaeological and iconographic attestations linking to the Bronze Age cultures of the Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, and Hittite Empire, appearing alongside artifacts associated with Hammurabi-era contexts and funerary objects near Thebes (ancient city). In classical antiquity cymbal-like instruments were recorded by writers of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire and used in cultic and military settings referenced by chronicles tied to Constantine the Great. Through the medieval period cymbal forms traveled along trade routes connecting Venice and the Ottoman Empire and entered liturgical and secular music repertoires documented in manuscripts linked to Charles the Bald. The modern orchestral and marching cymbal traditions developed in tandem with innovations during the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of concert institutions such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Carnegie Hall era.
Cymbal types include orchestral suspended cymbals used by composers like Gustav Mahler and Igor Stravinsky, paired crash cymbals favored in military and marching bands associated with John Philip Sousa, ride cymbals central to jazz drumming traditions tied to Buddy Rich and Max Roach, hi-hats ubiquitous in rock and pop ensembles linked to The Beatles sessions, splash cymbals for accents in studio work with producers like Phil Spector, and china cymbals heard in modern metal production connected to bands such as Metallica. Construction varies by alloy—traditional B20 alloys associated with artisan shops influenced by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy-era metallurgy research, B8 and other brass mixtures used in mass production tied to industrial firms like Yamaha Corporation and Zildjian Company. Machining techniques include hand-hammering practiced by families like the Zildjian family and machine lathing employed by manufacturers such as Paiste and Sabian.
Striking techniques range from single-stroke crashes used in symphonies by conductors like Herbert von Karajan to complex ride patterns in jazz improvisations performed by artists such as Miles Davis collaborators. Suspended cymbal rolls sustain passages in works by Richard Wagner and Anton Bruckner; sizzle techniques using rivets were explored in studio recordings for Motown Records sessions with arrangers linked to Smokey Robinson. Pairing techniques involve matched pairs in orchestral pit work for productions at venues like the Metropolitan Opera and clashing techniques used in marching shows produced by corps associated with Drums Corps International. Muting and mallet choices are informed by percussion pedagogy emerging from conservatories such as the Juilliard School and the Royal College of Music.
Cymbals occupy roles from coloristic support in classical music symphonies by Ludovico Einaudi-era arrangers to driving backbeat elements in rock music with drummers from Led Zeppelin and Nirvana. In jazz, cymbals shaped the sound of recordings with figures like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane; in Latin genres cymbal-like metal idiophones interact with percussion sections led by bandleaders such as Tito Puente. Film scoring practices by composers like John Williams employ cymbals for shock and emphasis in franchises like Star Wars, while electronic musicians and producers associated with Daft Punk sample cymbal timbres for texture in dance tracks.
Major manufacturers include historic firms Avedis Zildjian Company, Sabian Cymbals, and Paiste; artisanal makers and foundries in regions linked to the Caucasus and Istanbul preserve hand-hammering traditions propagated by families such as the Zildjian family. Materials range from bronze variants (B20, B8) to brass and nickel-silver alloys used by companies like Yamaha Corporation for consistent tolerances. Manufacturing processes integrate metallurgy research from institutions associated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology and automated production lines comparable to practices at Bosch-style factories, while boutique workshops maintain techniques derived from guilds historically connected to Venice and Ottoman metalworking centers.
Care practices for cymbals are taught in conservatory curricula at institutions like the Curtis Institute of Music and involve cleaning protocols debated in studio circles tied to Abbey Road Studios. Maintenance includes regular inspection of bell and bow areas to prevent crack propagation discussed in publications by percussion educators at Eastman School of Music and replacement strategies for hardware sold by retailers linked to Guitar Center. Transport and storage best practices parallel those used by touring ensembles managed by companies such as Live Nation and logistics firms like FedEx for festival circuits including Glastonbury Festival and Coachella.
Notable makers include the Zildjian family (established links to Istanbul), Sabian (founded by members linked to Montreal), and Paiste (Swiss origins connected to St. Petersburg manufacturing histories). Innovations include the development of the hi-hat stand by percussionists in early 20th-century New Orleans jazz scenes, rivet sizzle innovations used in recordings at Motown Records, machine-lathing advances commercialized by companies associated with postwar industrial expansion in Germany, and hybrid cymbal designs used in contemporary productions by artists recording at studios like Electric Lady Studios.