How the China cymbal makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the China cymbal belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.
More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
In western music, a China cymbal (or Chinese cymbal) is a distinct type of cymbal designed to produce a bright, crisp, and explosive tone that has brought it the nickname trash cymbal. The name "China cymbal" comes from its shape, which is similar to that of the Chinese Bo. Such cymbals are most frequently mounted upside down on cymbal stands, allowing for them to be more easily struck and for a better sound.
China-type cymbals are common in various kinds of rock music, particularly heavy metal and thrash metal. They are also frequently used in jazz fusion, Latin music, and Brazilian music, especially in arrangements with elaborate drum solos. In Latin and some other music styles, China cymbals are usually played in conjunction with other percussion instruments instead of a drum kit, such as timbales, octobans, or the surdo. China cymbals may also be used for conventional jazz, often played with mallets or brushes to achieve a softer sound resembling that of a "dark crash" cymbal.
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does the China cymbal sound like?
As one of the struck idiophones, its sound comes from the way the body is struck directly.
What type of instrument is the China cymbal?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.24).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q2451592 – CC0
- Wikipedia: China cymbal – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Original uploader was Andrewa at en.wikipedia – CC BY-SA 3.0