Drum Cymbals

Where do Cymbals go?

Today cymbals are often found as the partner instrument to a drum kit, usually in the form of a "high-hat" cymbal, which is comprised of two cymbals suspended above each other on a pole that are activated with a foot pedal.

As for orchestral performances, the cymbal is often called upon when the mood needs to be one of a military or aggressive nature, the sharp, ringing high tones often ripping through the rest of the instruments and punctuating important movements.

"Play what you hear" is an often-quoted maxim among cymbal players, due to the need to keep in tune with the conductor and the rest of the musicians. Because each cymbal player and each cymbal is unique the resulting sounds are unique as well.

Crash Cymbals

Sometimes referred to as "clash" cymbals, the crash cymbals are often neither clashed nor crashed together, despite what many think. They are typically used in pairs, held by straps in the center, outside portion of the bell of the disk, and the edges are rubbed together to produce sound. The performer often uses his or her own body to dampen the vibrating cymbals when needed.

There are a great variety of cymbals, such as the crash and high-hat, as well as suspended cymbals, ride cymbals, China cymbals, splash and swish and pang cymbals as well as finger cymbals. Regardless of the size and composition of the instrument, there is one thing that non-musicians would do well to understand about these much-misunderstood devices: they take as much dedication and talent to use properly as any other musical instrument.

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