Cymbals
are large brass plates. They can be played by hitting two of them together
(crash cymbals). A single cymbal can be hung on a stand (suspended cymbal)
and hit with a drumstick or a pair of soft mallets. A high-hat cymbal is
made by hanging one cymbal on top of another. One can be hit against the
other by using a foot pedal.How to play Suspended Cymbals:
Adjust the
stand so that the cymbal will be at waist height and parallel to the floor.
Hold a drum stick or yarn mallet using the same grip you use when playing
mallet percussion instruments. Using a full wrist stroke, strike the cymbal
with the end of the stick or mallet. Use a quick down-up motion. How to play Crash Cymbals:
Grip the
strap of either cymbal between your index finger and thumb. Grip close to
the cymbal bell. Curl the rest of your fingers around the strap, squeezing
the whole strap firmly. Your thumb may rest against the bell to help control
the movement of the cymbal. Hold the crash cymbals at an angle, with the
edge of the right cymbal lower than the edge of the left. Without moving
the left cymbal, bring the right cymbal inward and upward, and strike against
the left cymbal with a glancing motion. If repeated strokes are necessary,
return to the starting position and repeat. If no additional strokes are
necessary for several counts, bring both cymbals to open position, facing
away from you. To dampen the ringing of the cymbals, firmly pull the edges
of the cymbals in against your upper arms, chest, or mid-body. Information provided by: http://www.hypermusic.ca