Suspended cymbal

A suspended cymbal is any single cymbal played with a stick or beater rather than struck against another cymbal.

History

The term comes from the modern orchestra, in which the term "cymbals" normally refers to a pair of clash cymbals. The first suspended cymbals used in the modern orchestra were one of a pair of orchestral cymbals, supported by hanging it bell upwards by its strap. This technique is still used, at times, but has largely been replaced by specialised cymbals with larger mounting holes that can be mounted on a cymbal stand.

Occasionally the term "suspended cymbal" is still used in the original sense of one of a pair of orchestral cymbals hung by its strap, and this is the usage in older scores and may be the wish of modern conductors in playing them. It is essential to check this before committing to a particular technique.

On the other hand, some orchestras now forbid use of cymbals in this way. Thin cymbals are particularly liable to damage if played energetically with a beater.

Technique

In an orchestral setting, suspended cymbals are most often used for rolled crescendos, or swells. To do this, the player uses a single-stroke roll on the outside edge of the cymbal, using soft mallets, one on each side. At times, a score also calls for hitting the cymbal with a stick or scraping it with a triangle beater.

Other uses

In a drum kit, nearly all the cymbals used are suspended cymbals in the broadest sense, the main exceptions being pairs of hi-hat cymbals.