Cymbals are real complicated and special things. There are a few chapters on this page: history, construction of cymbals, types of cymbals and the Hi-Hat. The Hi-Hat is also a special instrument, but since cymbals are the main component of the Hi-Hat, it's also on this page.
Cymbals are very old instruments. In 1500 BC, the Hindus already played highly evolved music. They used cymbals with a small diameter, usually in combination with singing and dancing. Because of various trading-routes, the cymbals, as well as other instruments, like the bass drum, were spread over Asia. Since 700 AD, especially the Armenians appeared to be very competent at making cymbals. Then, in 1100 - 1300, the crusaders brought these cymbals to Europe. The sound of these cymbals was associated with heavenly music, music of angels. The Turkish introduced the cymbals again in 1550, but this time together with their bass drum and toms.
Construction of the Cymbal
 Constructing cymbals is very difficult. A cymbal consists of three metals: copper, tin and silver. The proportions of these metals vary from cymbal to cymbal and it is kept very secret by the producers. Most of the times a single cymbal consists mostly copper, some tin and just a little trace of silver. There are actually two ways to make cymbals: by machine and by hand. I think the largest cymbal producers, such as Zildjian, Paiste of Ufip use a combination. The three metals are melted and mixed.
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When that is done, they make a lump of this alloy and flatten it over and over again. When they have a flat slice of metal, the first thing they do is punching the bell of the cymbal in. Then they can make all sorts of grooves or notches in the cymbal with special tools and machines. During this process, the cymbal and alloy is heated and cooled down several times. The temperatures and frequency with which this is done, causes the cymbal to remain in one peace, even when it's played a lot. Sometimes holes are made in the outer rim of the cymbal. | Through these holes, you can punch some metal things, for special effects. When the cymbal vibrates, these things start to vibrate as well, and give an extra sound. Because the cymbals are formed, they have circular grooves. When a cymbal has a crack, they can cut the cracked part off over these grooves, and what's left is a smaller but still good-sounding cymbal. They don't sound like they should anymore, but the sound is still nice. |
Basically, there are two types of cymbals: the ride cymbal and the crash cymbal. They are both used in different ways, and they both have different characteristics. Generally, there are three main factors that determine the sound of the cymbal. These are:
This is the 'rhythm-cymbal.' When you are playing a rhythm that supports the band, this cymbal can be used to play patterns on, or to support the rhythm you're playing yourself. Because you use it to play patterns, the number of overtones must be limited. To accomplish this, the cymbal is rather thick and rather large. So it's a rather heavy, solid cymbal. Of course there are a lot of different ride cymbals, everyone with its own size, thickness and proportions between copper, tin and silver. My own ride cymbal has a diameter of 20" and that's an average size. There is a cymbal that is even thicker than the ride. This cymbal is called the 'Ping'. It is very thick and has a super clear sound.
Note: the sizes of cymbals as well as drums are measured in inches.
The Chinese cymbal is a normal cymbal, but the edges are bent. It gives a very weird sound, which I cannot describe well. It's sounds very nice in lots of music styles.
The splash is a very small version of the crash cymbal. It's a cymbal with a diameter of 6" to 12" max. It has a very quick attack and a very short echo. This little cymbal is used to give some little effects or accents whenever you like them.
Basically, the Hi-Hat is just a pair of cymbals above each other. The Hi-Hat cymbals are mounted on a special stand, with a pedal. With this pedal, you can open and close the Hi-Hat: the cymbals are against each other or apart from each other. This Hi-Hat is an important part of the modern drum-set. Together with the ride cymbal, this instrument is used to play all sorts of rhythms and patterns on. The accents in a rhythm are usually played by the bass drum or the snare drum, while on the Hi-Hat a supporting pattern is played.
The Hi-Hat is a perfect instrument for playing rhythms and patterns, because of the pedal. When you press the cymbals very gentle against each other, you get a really different sound then when you press them very hard against each other. And when you hit the edges of the Hi-Hat cymbals, you have a different sound then when you hit the topside of the Hi-Hat.
There are actually two ways of playing the Hi-Hat. You can play on the cymbals with you drumsticks and you can play it with you foot, using the pedal. Originally, the Hi-Hat was a low instrument, about half a meter high but when people figured that the Hi-Hat could also be played with your sticks, they heightened it. Now it is about one metre high (sizes vary per drummer, and per Hi-Hat, of course) and can be played with both your foot and your sticks.