Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Understanding The Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals

By Timothy Clark


A cymbal is one of the percussion instruments that are very common. Cymbals get used in pairs in most cases. The instrument is made of thin, circular plates. The plates are usually constructed from metal alloys of different kinds. Most cymbals have indefinite pitch. However, definite notes have been known to be produced by small, disc-shaped varieties whose designs are based on traditional designs. Istanbul Mehmet cymbals are some of the commonest percussion instruments that are employed in a wide range of events.

The Latin language is the origin of the term cymbal. The Latin word from which it was derived is cymbalum, which was in term derived from a Greek term kymbalon. Kymbalon as a word is a derivative from the word cup, bowl. In orchestral scores, the instrument gets indicated by words from varied languages, including Spanish, German, Italian, and French. All the words have plates as the root word from which they derive.

The origin of a cymbal lies in the ancient world. This is indicated by the presence of representation of the apparatus in reliefs in various places. Assyria, ancient Rome, Hittite, Anatolia, Larsa, ancient Greece, and Babylon are among the places it was found. The instruments is described a lot in the Bible as a tool that was used to praise God.

The introduction of the device into China happened between the 3rd or 4th century AD. By the 14th century, the instrument was already in use in Turkish janissaries. Introduction into Europe happened later in the 17th century and the instrument was widely played in orchestras and military bands. The call for a larger role to be played by the instrument in the nineteenth century led to increased diversity in the hardware, shapes, and techniques.

The sound made by a cymbal is largely dependent on it structure and features. The center usually has a hole drilled through it. This hole provides means for mounting onto stands or attaching straps for hand playing. The area immediately after the hole is normally raised. This raised region is called a dome, bell, or cup.

Cups produce higher pitched sounds than other regions on the device. The cup is surrounded immediately by an area called a bow. Bows are comprised of two other areas, that is, the ride area and the crash area. The ride region has more thickness and it appears closer to the bell. Conversely, the crash region appears closer to edges and is thinner.

The rim or edge refers to the immediate circumference of the instrument. The diameter is the main factor based upon in measuring the instrument. Centimeters or inches are the main units of measurement used. Size affects sound production a lot. Sounds in larger cymbals are louder and are characterized by a longer sustain.

Thickness is the factor based on when describing the weight of a cymbal. Significance of the thickness is to the general playing and sounds produced by the device. If the device is heavy, it makes louder sounds with a shaper cut. The articulation of stick is also better in heavy devices. Thinner devices make fuller sounds that have a lower pitch. They also respond faster.




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