Information About China Cymbals
Posted on May 17, 2008 - Filed Under Arts and Entertainment
China cymbals are type of cymbals used by percussionists, usually on their drum kit. Generally speaking, there are three tonal types of cymbals drummers use - Chinese, Turkish, and Western/European, although Western is really a derivate of Turkish cymbals. The China cymbals are a class all of their own.
While most people think of cymbals that resonate sweetly, with a clear, rich sound, these are produced to create an abrasive, gritty, explosive, dirty, trashy sound that is very necessary in music. Although not manufactured solely in China anymore, their histories still bear Chinese names.
Ancient Chinese people were masters at making these instruments of varying sizes (with the most famous being the Gong), and Chinese people were the first to create bell bronze. As far as archaeology and written records go, China was the first country to create and mass produce cymbals. These are usually somewhat conical in shape, with a base on top of the bell, outer ridges that flip in the opposite direction, little to no change in thickness from inside to rim, and there is usually an unpolished area on the bottom side.
Not all china cymbals have these characteristics (although most do); however, the most distinguishing feature is the sound. The sound of these cymbals suit Chinese musical inclinations, so they do not compliment the Turkish ones. Because our musical inclinations are heavily laden with Turkish cymbal sensibilities, these serve as accompaniments to achieve certain sounds. In fact, on most drum kits, the cymbal is arranged upside down so that normal crash and stick patterns may be used. Bigger types with chinese origins, including the Gong, are used in professional orchestras. In other countries, obviously including China, these are predominately used for all types of music.
Every drummer should have at least two of these on their kit - it allows for greater freedom of musical expression. There are many sizes- if you are looking for the dirty, trashy sound, you will want to stick to the smaller end of this type of cymbals; if you want longer lasting, not as abrasive sounds, you can look towards larger ones that act as mini-gongs.
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Tags: drum kits, musical instruments, percussion, China cymbals
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