What is Cymbal?
[[File:2006-07-06 Crash Zildjian 14.jpg|thumb|250px|A crash cymbal]] '''Cymbals''' (pronounced like the word “symbol”) are [[percussion instrument]]s. They are [[disc]]s made of [[copper]], [[bronze]] or a special [[alloy]]. They look rather like [[pan|saucepan]] lids, but in the middle they jut out a little and they have straps there that pass through a hole. Also called “clangers” There are two ways of playing cymbals. One way is to use a pair of cymbals that are the same. The player holds one cymbal in each hand, holding them by the strap. He then bangs the cymbals together. There are many ways of doing this depending on the sort of sound that is wanted. For example, a very quiet sound can be made by rubbing the edges of the cymbals together. A very loud sound can be made by hitting them together as the arms form a circle, and letting the cymbals [[vibrate]] for a long time by holding them in the air. Another way of playing the cymbal is to use just one cymbal, and to hang it on a stand. It can then be played with a beater, stick or wire brush. It can be hit at the edge, in the middle, or half way between, depending on the sound that is wanted. Cymbals are made in different sizes. Some may be just 25&nbsp;cm across, large ones may be up to 60&nbsp;cm across. Cymbals do not normally give any particular [[pitch (music)|pitch]]. There are, however, small ones based on an old form of cymbal which are called “crotales”. There are also [[China|Chinese]] cymbals which have a turned-up edge. Cymbals are used in many different musical groups. They are heard in an [[orchestra]], in [[jazz]] groups, percussion groups and bands, including marching bands. A [[drum kit]] always has at least one cymbal. This may be a “crash cymbal” (on the top of a stand) or a pair of hi-hats (a pair of small cymbals operated by pressing a [[pedal (music)|pedal]] with the foot. == Origins == The word cymbals comes from the [[Latin]] ''cymbalum'', which itself comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word ''kumbalom'', meaning a small [[b