cymbals
Thin circular metal plates that produce sound when struck together or with a stick.
In Depth
Cymbals are among the loudest instruments in the orchestra, capable of a shattering crash that cuts through the entire ensemble. Orchestral cymbals come in two forms: crash cymbals (a pair held by leather straps and struck together) and the suspended cymbal (mounted on a stand and struck with various mallets or brushes).
The cymbal family in a drum kit is much more varied: hi-hats (a pair operated by a foot pedal), ride cymbals (for steady rhythmic patterns), crash cymbals (for accents), and various effects cymbals like splashes and chinas. Cymbal-making is an ancient craft — the Turkish company Zildjian has been making cymbals since 1623, and their secret alloy formula has been passed down for 15 generations.
The Zildjian cymbal company was founded in Constantinople in 1623 by an Armenian alchemist who was trying to turn base metals into gold and accidentally created the perfect cymbal alloy instead.