CYMBALS

Physical Characteristics (Observable)

*SIZE (Diameter) - in General - Larger of a (certain type) =

- Pitch = Lower

- Volume = louder

- Colour = Darker

- Range = wider

- Mix = more complex

- Attack (stick sound) = may go either way

- Response = more Lively

- Sustain = Longer

*THICKNESS - in General - Thicker of a (certain size)

- Pitch = Higher

- Sustain = Longer

- Colour (Tone) = Brighter

- Volume = louder

- Range = narrower

- Mix more complex

- Attack = Pingyer

- Response = more lively

*WEIGHT - eg. 2 different 16 inch Crashes = different Weight

. The various combinations of weight and size may now balance out, reinforce, or
negate these various tendencies.

- eg. Very thick, very small cymbal:

Volume= Medium

Colour = Very Bright

Range = Narrow

Mix = Clean

Attack = Very Pronounced

Response = Dry

Sustain = Long (because more mass almost always overrides size).

eg. Very Thin, Very Large cymbal:

Volume= Medium

Colour = Very Dark

Range = Wide

Mix = Complex

Attack = Very Washy

Response = Less Lively

Sustain = Long

*VOLUME

Volume Range: Very Soft to Very Loud.

= the useful volume range of the cymbal.

On the low end of the spectrum we consider how softly we can play the cymbal before
its character falls apart. On the high end of the spectrum we consider how strongly we
can play the cymbal without overplaying it.

- eg. Medium Size Thin cymbal that will be played heavily in a loud setting. At some
point of heavy hitting, not only will the cymbal lose its intended definition, but you
also run the risk of destroying an otherwise perfectly well made and sturdy cymbal.

*FORM = determines - Pitch

Flat = Dark

Round = Bright

Sound Character

*COLOUR (TONE) (Higher (BRIGHT) or lower (DARK) frequencies)

- Almost all cymbals = the whole range of very low to extremely high frequencies is
more or less present.

But the intensity of those portions Vary.

*RANGE (from Lows to Highs frequencies)

Lower end (undertones) = gong sound or basic pitch of the cymbal, - best isolated
playing the cymbal with a relatively soft mallet

Upper end (overtones) we have silver sound or shimmer - best be isolated by

hitting the cymbal parallel to its surface with the shaft of the drum stick.

Wider Range = Looser, Bigger sound (eg, HH's)

Narrower range = more Focused, Together sound.

*MIX (density of audible frequencies (Density of Highs, Mids, Lows))

Frequency Mix Range: Very clean (delicate) Very Complex (rough).

Here we are considering the density of the cymbal sound, or the relative presence of
the center section of frequencies. This is the middle layer of the overall cymbal sound,
also referred to as its voice. Crashing the cymbal across its edge with a medium
strength stroke will highlight the center frequencies. A relative absence of middle
frequencies will be perceived as a clean or clear (voiceless) cymbal sound because
the upper and lower layers co-exist without too much interference, while a relative
abundance of center frequencies tends to combine and intricately mix all the
frequencies in the cymbal which will then be perceived as complex (and in a darker
cymbal as dirty).

Function

*ATTACK (Pingy (Ride) vs Washy (Crash))

*RESPONSE INTENSITY (Immediacy of Sound - DRY vs LIVELY)

*SUSTAIN (Length of sound vibration)

*BELL CHARACTER in Rides

*CHICK SOUND (interaction of two cymbals in a Hi-Hat)

*FEEL of the cymbal (the feeling you experience in your hands and with the stick as you
hit the cymbal or play rhythmic figures on it)

Sound Descriptions

In describing our cymbals, we have found it most useful to present the empirical and
functional characteristics as bullet points, while we have presented the sound
characteristics in descriptive words. Where appropriate, we have also added notes
about the feel of the cymbal, and its particular usefulness, such as hand playing and
other percussive techniques, as well as suggested musical settings.

*Properties

- TONE/COLOUR (Pitch) = Bright vs Dark / COLOUR (Dominance of HI or LO

Frequencies)

- ATTACK = Fast vs Slower

- SUSTAIN = Dry vs Washy

RANGE (presence of lowest to highest audible frequencies) and the MIX (density of
audible frequencies)