Editing Clash cymbals

{{Short description|Unpitched percussion instrument}}{{Infobox instrument
| name                  = Clash cymbals
| names                 =
| image                 = Suworow-Kadetten in Bern 024.jpg
| image_capt            = Two sets of clash cymbals in use in a marching band
| background            = percussion
| classification        = Percussion
| hornbostel_sachs      = 111.142   
| hornbostel_sachs_desc = Cymbals: Vessel clappers with everted rim
| inventors             =
| developed             =
| range                 =
| related               =
| musicians             =
| builders              =
| articles              =
}}{{About|a specific type of cymbals played in pairs|the general use of the term|Crash cymbals}}
'''Clash cymbals''' (also called '''concert cymbals''', '''orchestral''' '''cymbals''', or '''crash cymbals''') are [[cymbal]]s played in matched pairs by holding one cymbal in each hand and striking the two together.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Strain |first=James Allen |url= |title=A Dictionary for the Modern Percussionist and Drummer |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield Publishers]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8108-8693-3 |page=48 |oclc=974035735}}</ref>
[[File:2010July22-TimKoehlerAB2-crpped-byVernBarber edited-1.jpg|thumb|260px|right|[[Avedis Zildjian Company|Zildjian]] clash cymbals after a big crash]]
[[File:US Navy 110518-N-WP746-217 Musician 2nd Class Ed William, assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, plays the cymbals during the joint-service rehea.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Paiste]] clash cymbals in use in a percussion section]]To differentiate this type of cymbal from a [[suspended cymbal]], they are also called '''hand cymbals'''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Solomon |first=Samuel Z. |title=How to Write for Percussion: A Comprehensive Guide to Percussion Composition |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-19-992035-8 |edition=2nd |pages=149 |oclc=936117814}}</ref>

==Terminology==
In [[Sheet music|musical scores]], clash cymbals are normally indicated as ''cymbals'' or sometimes simply ''C.C.'' If another type of cymbal, for example, a [[suspended cymbal]], is required in an [[orchestra]]l score, then for historical reasons this is often also indicated ''cymbals''. Some composers and arrangers use the plural ''cymbals'' or ''crash cymbals'' to indicate clash cymbals, with the singular ''cymbal'' to indicate a suspended cymbal.

Composers will often condense the clash cymbals and a suspended cymbal into the same part. There are a number of techniques used to indicate which is desired. Whenever ''with stick'' or ''with mallet'' is written, a suspended cymbal is used. A return to clash cymbals can be specified with the [[Italian language|Italian]] phrase ''[[a due]]''. [[Russia]]n composers developed a notation to differentiate between clash and suspended cymbals in which a + (plus sign) is written over a note to be played on suspended cymbal and a ° (open circle) is written over a note to be played with clash cymbals.

In foreign language scores, such types of cymbals are known as {{Lang|it|piatti}} or {{Lang|it|cinelli}} (in Italian), {{Lang|de|die Becken}} (in German), and {{Lang|fr|les cymbales}} (in French).

==Technique==
[[image:Cymbals (PSF).png|thumb|260px|right|Playing clash cymbals]]

===Classical music===
In an orchestral context, the cymbals are held by their straps with the thumb and index finger closest to the bell, not unlike holding a drumstick. The cymbals are held at a 45-degree angle with the dominant hand holding the cymbal over the other.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=Frank |title=Cymbalisms: A Complete Guide for the Orchestral Cymbal Player |date=2007 |publisher=[[Hal Leonard]] |others=Sonner, Robert (Ed.) |isbn=978-0-634-06329-9 |oclc=166368068}}</ref> To crash, there is a brief prep motion in which the arms move away from each other, before finally dropping the dominant handed cymbal on top of the bottom cymbal. Properly played crashes will be played like a [[Drum rudiment#Flam|flam]] where the bottom of the cymbals touch before meeting at the top. This is done to prevent any air pockets from occurring.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cirone |first1=Anthony J. |title=The Art of Percussion Playing |last2=Grover |first2=Neil |last3=Whaley |first3=Garwood |publisher=Meredith Music |year=2006 |isbn=1-57463-047-4 |edition=1st |pages=60 |oclc=70782197 |author-link=Anthony J. Cirone}}</ref>  

There are several ways to hold the cymbals after the crash. Some practitioners hold the cymbals up and vertically with the inside of the cymbal facing the audience. This actually shortens the sustain as the sound is transferred up rather than out and causes the hands to be in contact with the cymbal. Other practitioners hold the cymbals parallel to the floor. This allows for the most sound to reach the audience as the sound is transferred horizontally.{{sfn|Petrella|2002|p=41}}

===Marching arts===
{{See also|Marching Percussion#Cymbals}}
In a [[Marching arts|marching ensemble]], such as a [[Drum and bugle corps (modern)|drum corps]] or [[marching band]], cymbals will often be marched as part of the [[Marching percussion|drumline]]. The technique of marching cymbals is vastly different from that of orchestral cymbals. Typically, marching cymbalist employ a technique known as "Garfield grip" (named after its use by the [[Garfield Cadets|Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps]]) in which the hand is placed through the straps and twisted to let the palm rest on top of the bell. This technique allows for greater control over the instrument and for movements known as "visuals" – flashy maneuvers such as flips and twirls.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hannum |first=Thom |title=The Cymbal: Its Standard and Special Use in Contemporary Marching Ensembles |publisher=[[University of Massachusetts at Amherst]] |year=1984 |pages=35–37 |oclc=11413855 |author-link=Thom Hannum}}</ref> 

There has been a trend in recent years to replace the cymbal line with cymbals in the [[front ensemble]], although cymbals still remain a vital instrument in [[Indoor percussion ensemble|indoor percussion ensembles]].

===Hi-hats===
{{Main|Hi-hat (instrument)}}
A [[drum kit]] normally contains one pair of clash cymbals mounted on a pedal-operated [[hi-hat stand]]. These are commonly far smaller and lighter than hand-operated clash cymbals, and are played with [[drum stick]]s as well as clashed together using the pedal. The hi-hat arose out of the need for [[vaudeville]] [[Pit orchestra|pit orchestras]] to combine the roles of a bass drummer, snare drummer, and cymbalist into one player, eventually forming the modern [[Drum kit|drum set]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aldridge |first=John |title=Guide to Vintage Drums |publisher=Centerstream Publishing |year=1994 |isbn=0-931759-79-X |pages=22 |oclc=32097991}}</ref>

==Sizes==
[[File:aaclashcymbal2.JPG|thumb|239x239px|right|The traditional four-cornered strap knot]]

Clash cymbals come in matched pairs. They are commonly found in three weights:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pinksterboer |first=Hugo |title=The Cymbal Book |publisher=[[Hal Leonard]] |year=1993 |isbn=978-1-4768-6639-0 |pages=32 |oclc=1098563299}}</ref>

*''French'', ''leggero'', or ''light''
*''Viennese'', ''medio'', or ''medium''
*''Germanic'', ''Wagnerian'', or ''heavy''

Instruments of all weights range in size from 14" to 22" in diameter. The smallest and thickest tend to have the higher pitch, the thinner ones allow for greater expression, and the largest have the greatest volume.

==Straps==
[[Image:Chinese New Year Seattle 2007 - 25.jpg|thumb|165x165px|right|Playing Chinese clash cymbals]]Orchestral clash cymbals have [[leather]] or [[nylon]] straps passed through the holes in their bells, leading to four tails which are knotted inside the bell, to allow the percussionist to hold them.{{sfn|Petrella|2002|p=49}} Marching cymbal lines use leather pads placed on the bell to cushion the hands.{{Sfn|Petrella|2002|p=54}}

[[China cymbal|Chinese]] clash cymbals need no handles as the squared bells can be held quite securely without them and are often joined by a cord through the holes in their bells which allows the percussionist to release the bells after striking, producing less damping and greater sustain, and swing the cymbals producing [[doppler effect]]s.

== See also ==

* [[Zill|Zills]], also known as finger cymbals
* [[Taal (instrument)|Taal]], a type of Indian clash cymbal

== References ==
{{reflist}}

=== Books ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Petrella |first=Nick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f5B-3ArQyVIC |title=The Ultimate Guide to Cymbals |publisher=[[Carl Fischer Music|Carl Fischer]] |year=2002 |isbn=0-8258-4905-5 |oclc=52365873}}
{{refend}}

{{Concussion idiophones}}
{{Percussion}}

[[Category:Cymbals]]
[[Category:Vessel concussion idiophones]]
[[Category:Hand percussion]]
[[Category:Orchestral percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Asian percussion instruments]]
[[Category:European percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Unpitched percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Concert band instruments]]