A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cymbals

by Victor de Pontigny

CYMBALS are a pair of thin round metal plates, with a leather strap through the centre of each, by which the performer holds one in each hand. The metal is an alloy of 80 parts of copper to 20 of tin. To produce a good tone they should not be struck so as to coincide together, but should rather be rubbed against each other in a single sliding motion (French froisser). The part for the cymbals is generally, but not always, the same as that for the bass-drum, and, from motives of economy, it is generally played by the same performer. One cymbal is then tied to the drum, and the other held in his left hand, while his right hand uses the drum stick. [Piatti.]

[ V. de P. ]