In order to get an idea of what cymbals are, you must first keep in mind that we are talking about a string percussion musical instrument. Sounds of strings pulled over a flat trapezoidal body, but the sound is extracted from them by the impact of wooden sticks. This instrument is popular mainly in countries of Eastern Europe, but it has its own, similar in design relatives in India, China and other Asian countries.
What are folk and academic cymbals , what is the difference
Cymbals are divided into two groups - folk (or folk) and concert-academic. What is the cymbals belonging to the group of "folk", it is easy to understand by their appearance. They differ primarily in the size of the case, although these indicators often vary depending on the goals that the manufacturer sets for himself. In addition, there are two coasters in folk cymbals - bass and voice, while in concert there are six of them.
The stands of folk cymbals are arranged in such a way that the bass is located on the right, and the voice are on the left. They divide strings into quarts and fifths. The voice pad is characterized by the arrangement of “middle voices” on the right and “high” on the left. Thus, a scale is created that has three registers in it. The design of professional cymbals provides two main and four auxiliary stands. With their help, the strings are divided into fifths, thirds and seconds. Both types of cymbals and the number of strings also differ from each other.
The position of various types of cymbals while playing on them
There is a difference in the fact that during the game, folk instrument performers hold them on their knees, and professional cymbals are placed on the floor. In both traditions, wooden sticks for sound extraction are held between the middle and index fingers, but they differ in size. In addition, professionals sheathe suede sticks, which allows you to achieve a wider range of sound shades. For performers on folk dulcimers this is not accepted.
Tool design change
Cymbals are a musical instrument that has gone through a difficult path of constructive development. It was largely determined by the social environment. If the folk version of the instrument, widespread in the villages for a long time, has not changed, then its city counterpart has undergone significant changes in order to familiarize the performers with professional, academic art. Its design is constantly being improved. Since Ferenc Erkel and Ferenc Lehar introduced this instrument into the opera orchestra, he has become a regular member of many professional groups. And if relatively recently only a few fans of ethnic music could answer the question of what cymbals are, now all visitors to concert halls are familiar with it.