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Playing the cymbals is a complex task that involves a range of muscles and movement patterns. While cymbals are commonly played with the hands, they can also be played with the feet as part of a drum kit. The muscles involved in cymbal playing include the biceps brachii and triceps brachii, with strong drum playing resulting in higher muscle activation. Additionally, wrist muscles play a crucial role in the stability and speed of drumming, with the flexor capri ulnaris and extensor carpi radialis muscles contributing to fast and stable drumming performance. The forearm muscles are responsible for flexion, extension, supination, and pronation movements of the wrist, which are essential for grip and stick control. Drummers also require stamina and conditioning to endure lengthy playing sessions, with biking and jumping rope being recommended exercises to improve leg, ankle, and wrist strength.
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Cymbal playing technique
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument, often used in pairs and consisting of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. Cymbal playing technique varies depending on the type of cymbal and the genre of music being played. For example, the technique for playing crash cymbals in a marching band will differ from that of an orchestral setting.
In a marching band, cymbal players typically hold the cymbals by placing their wrists through the straps for more control. This technique allows for greater movement, which is necessary when marching. In an orchestral or concert setting, the player typically grips the cymbal strap on the outside, similar to holding a snare drum stick. This grip provides more control over the cymbals and allows for greater precision in striking and muffling techniques.
When playing crash cymbals, the top cymbal is typically held at a slight angle, while the bottom cymbal faces upward at a slight angle, resting on the knuckle of the hand. The two cymbals should be held at a slight angle to each other, with the top cymbal dropping down onto the bottom cymbal to create the crash. The impact causes the cymbals to pull apart from each other, creating the distinctive crash sound.
For fast tempos, when both hands are needed to play, the midriff can be used to muffle the sound. The cymbal is held with the thumb and index finger, with the fingers wrapped around the strap. The top cymbal is pushed into the attached cymbal, and the bass drum is dampened or muffled with the knee. For loud playing, a larger cymbal is used on top, while a smaller cymbal is used for softer playing.
The size of the cymbals also affects the sound produced. A standard pair of cymbals is typically 18 inches in size and has a quick response to vibrations, making them suitable for a combination of loud and soft strokes. Smaller cymbals, on the other hand, offer better control during softer, more delicate passages but create a thinner texture than larger cymbals.
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Cymbal anatomy
Cymbals are thin, round plates made of various alloys. They are often used in pairs and are a part of drum kits. The anatomy of a cymbal plays a significant role in the sound it produces.
The bell, dome, or cup is the raised section at the centre of the cymbal. It produces a higher-pitched sound compared to the rest of the cymbal. The bell's shape and size influence the sound of the cymbal as a whole. Striking the bell with the shank of a drumstick creates a clear tone with sparse overtones. This area is useful for playing or accenting rhythmic figures. Cymbals with larger bells tend to produce more overtones and have greater volume.
The bow is the rest of the surface surrounding the bell. It is sometimes described as having two areas: the ride and the crash area. The ride cymbal is larger and thicker and is used for playing rhythmic figures. It has a more defined attack and shorter resonance due to its higher profile. The ride can also be crashed, producing a bright and explosive sound.
The edge of the cymbal is the most delicate part and produces the fullest sound when struck, commonly known as a "crash". Cymbals with thinner edges will be more crashable and have a faster response. The taper refers to the gradual decrease in thickness from the bell to the edge, with some cymbals thinner towards the edge. The curvature or bow of the cymbal describes the degree to which it curves outward from the bell to the edge. Cymbals with flatter profiles have lower fundamental tones and mellower responses, while those with more pronounced curves have higher fundamental notes and faster attacks.
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Cymbal history
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument, usually played in pairs and consisting of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The word "cymbal" comes from the Latin "cymbalum", which is derived from the Ancient Greek "kymbalon" meaning "cup, bowl".
The earliest cymbals are thought to have been made around the time bronze came about, around 3,000 B.C. They were used in ancient civilisations such as Assyria, Israel, Egypt, India, and Korea, as well as in medieval East Asia and Europe before the 13th century. The Shahnameh (circa 977 and 1010 CE) mentions the use of "'Indian cymbals' in war to create a loud din and frighten the enemy. Cymbals were also used in celebrations and worship.
By the 14th century, cymbals were adopted by the Janissary bands, elite Turkish military units that served the Ottoman Sultans. They were used to inspire fellow soldiers and intimidate opponents. By the 17th century, cymbals had spread to Europe and were being used in orchestras. The German composer Nicolaus Strungk was the first to use cymbals in an opera orchestra, in 1680. Haydn and Mozart sparsely used cymbals a century later, but they weren’t considered serious musical instruments until the 19th century.
In the 1920s, Turkish immigrant Avedis Zildjian began building cymbals by hand in Boston. Once jazz drummers heard his creations, they began requesting specific changes to his designs, mostly for larger and thinner cymbals. In the 1940s, the hi-hat was invented, which is a pair of cymbals mounted horizontally on a pole and played with the foot. Following the rise of rock and roll, cymbals became even larger and louder to compete with amplified instruments.
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Cymbal types
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument and are often used in pairs. They are thin, normally round plates made of various alloys. Cymbals have been used since ancient times and are played in many ensembles, including orchestras, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands, and marching groups.
There are several types of cymbals, each producing a distinct sound. Here are some of the most common types:
Ride Cymbals: The ride cymbal is the largest and heaviest cymbal in a drum set. It produces a bigger and darker sound with more stick definition than a crash cymbal. Ride cymbals typically range in size from 19 to 24 inches, with the most popular sizes falling between 20 and 22 inches.
Crash Cymbals: The term crash" cymbal was coined by Avedis Zildjian III. This type of cymbal is thin and lightweight, creating an explosive bright sound with a quick decay. Crash cymbals come in various models, ranging from thick and heavy to thin and light. The most popular sizes typically range between 16 and 18 inches.
Hi-Hat Cymbals: Hi-hat cymbals are an essential part of a drum kit, serving as the primary timekeeping tool. They tend to be heavy with little taper, similar to ride cymbals.
China Cymbals: China-type cymbals are a unique variety of crash cymbals known for their distinct shape. They produce a bright and crisp tone, creating an expressive and explosive sound.
Effects Cymbals: Effects cymbals, or FX cymbals, offer a wide range of specialty sounds beyond the standard cymbal types. Some popular options include stacks, bells, and trash crashes.
The different types of cymbals are distinguished not only by their names but also by various attributes such as profile, taper, bell, ride area, crash area, diameter, weight, type of hammering, and tonal grooves. Each of these factors contributes to the unique sound profile of a cymbal.
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Cymbal maintenance
Cymbals are heavy and loud percussion instruments that can be dangerous to play. They require basic preventative maintenance to keep them looking and sounding great. Here are some tips for cymbal maintenance:
Mounting
Make sure you have a cymbal sleeve and felt on your stand before mounting the cymbal. Metal-on-metal contact can degrade the hole of the cymbal and lead to keyholing and spiderweb cracks. The cymbal should also be angled correctly—if it is above eye level, angle it slightly towards you. This is because the edge of the cymbal is the thinnest part, and hitting it will cause stress that leads to cracks.
Tightening
Ensure the cymbal swings freely when hit. Overtightening the wingnut will reduce resonance and cause cracks around the bell.
Striking
Instead of hitting through the cymbal, strike it with a glancing blow. This will also allow the cymbal to project more. Avoid striking the cymbal with an axe-like motion, as this causes stress that leads to cracks. When muffling the cymbal, keep it low and muffle into your stomach, not your chest.
Storage
Always use a cymbal bag or case when storing or transporting cymbals. If you need to put cymbals on the floor, lay them flat, don't stand them on their edge. This can cause the edge to bend or chip over time. Store cymbals in a low-humidity environment to prevent corrosion and rust.
Cleaning
Cymbal cleaning products are available, but some people choose to clean their cymbals with home products such as Brasso, ketchup, lemon juice, or a gas-soaked rag. Be aware that some of these methods can cause discolouration or leave residue.
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Frequently asked questions
Playing the cymbals involves a lot of muscles in your arms, including those in your wrists and forearms. The wrist is the most commonly affected body part in drummers, so it's important to position your palms down to reduce the risk of injury. The forearm muscles are used for flexion, extension, supination, and pronation movements of the wrist.
Cymbals are usually clashed or brushed together, either by holding one in each hand and striking them together or by attaching them to a drum kit and operating them with a foot pedal.
The sound produced by a cymbal depends on where it is struck. Striking the edge of the cymbal produces a lower and fuller sound, while playing close to the centre (or bell) produces a higher and tighter sound. The bell produces a higher "pinging" pitch than the rest of the cymbal.
