Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Suspended Cymbal
| Category | Percussion (idiophone, unpitched) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Multiple (modern orchestral standard) |
| Classification | musical instrument |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q7649196 |
Overview
A suspended cymbal is a single cymbal hung from a stand or strap so that it can vibrate freely. Unlike clash cymbals, which are played in pairs, the suspended cymbal is struck with mallets, drumsticks, brushes, or other beaters. It produces a wide range of effects, from a soft shimmer to a sustained crescendo roll, and is a standard part of the orchestral percussion section.
Origin & History
Cymbals reach back thousands of years across many cultures, but the orchestral suspended cymbal in its modern form emerged in nineteenth-century European concert music. Composers including Berlioz and Wagner called for sustained cymbal effects that could not be produced by clashing two cymbals together, and the suspended cymbal became the standard solution. From the early twentieth century onward, the same idea moved into the , giving rise to the modern ride and crash cymbals.
How It’s Played
The cymbal is mounted on a stand, with the bell facing upward or sideways depending on the technique. To produce a roll, the player strikes the cymbal alternately with two soft mallets near the edge, building a continuous wash of sound. Sticks produce a sharper attack suited to accents, while brushes create a quieter, more brushed texture. Dynamic range is wide, from barely audible to extremely loud.
Cultural Significance
The suspended cymbal is a workhorse of the orchestral percussion section, used to colour climaxes and transitions. In the drum kit it became an everyday voice, with crash and ride cymbals playing a central role in jazz and popular music from the 1920s onward. The same basic instrument therefore links classical concert music with the everyday sounds of contemporary popular music.
Related Instruments
- – the paired ancestor
- – the drum-kit pedalled cymbal pair
- Gong – a related struck idiophone
- – the modern host for suspended cymbals
- – a large unpitched gong used similarly in orchestras
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between suspended cymbals and clash cymbals?
Clash cymbals are played as a pair, struck against one another. A suspended cymbal hangs from a stand and is struck with mallets or sticks.
How is a cymbal roll produced?
By striking the cymbal alternately with two soft mallets near the edge, producing a continuous sustained sound.
Image: photograph available at Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.