How the Turkish crescent makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Turkish crescent 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
A Turkish crescent, also called Turkish jingle or a Jingling Johnny (a smaller version is called a Çevgen; Turkish: Çağana; German: Schellenbaum; French: Chapeau chinois or Pavillon chinois), is a percussion instrument traditionally used by military bands internationally. In some contexts it also serves as a battle trophy or object of veneration.
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does the Turkish crescent 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 Turkish crescent?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.242.222).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1414882 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Turkish crescent – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Milgesch – CC BY-SA 3.0