Meinl’ s Cymbal Bacon( best name award!). In the DIY category, try the old-school methods of draping a small chain across the plate or using adhesive tape to attach several coins to the top surface of the cymbal.
ROLL TYPES | ROLL SPEEDS While most suspended cymbal rolling is produced with soft mallets, sticks can also be employed. Check out the sounds created by a single stroke roll versus the double stroke version. Roll speeds can be used to produce subtle shadings. Listen how roll speed( using any implement) can generate either tension or relaxation.
COMBINING CYMBALS Every tonal manipulation in this article can be accomplished with a single cymbal--except this one. Modify your suspended cymbal tone by combining it with another cymbal. You can simultaneously strike or roll on another standard suspended cymbal or mix in the sound of an“ effect cymbal” such as a splash, Chinese, or perforated plate.
CHOKE Laissez vibrer( or l. v.) is a common marking in classical music cymbal parts. The English translation for this French term is“ let vibrate.” Although we often follow a cymbal strike or roll with“ laissez vibrer,” do not forget about the“ choke.” The choke technique allows you to control the length of the note. Simply grab the plate with thumb above and fingers below to stop the vibrations and thus the sound of the cymbal. Mastering the choke will assist you in matching note lengths with other instruments in an ensemble.
MUTING Alter the sound of a cymbal by applying some muting material. This simple process will reduce the sustain while changing the overtones. Meinl’ s Cymbal Tuners make use of strong magnets to attach to a plate’ s surface. Moongel Resonance Pads can also be used to mute a cymbal, as well as good ol’ adhesive tape.
BONUS: BOWING It’ s doubtful you’ ll use this sound on next Sunday’ s opener, but you never know when it might come in handy. Percussionists have long utilized bowing technique on gongs, vibraphones, and other instruments( including cymbals). Drawing a bow across the edge of the cymbal will produce some unique timbres without the characteristic attack of a striking implement. Try it.
With a little experimentation, you can discover additional cymbal sounds. Search for other timbres and apply them with taste.
“ Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:5 KJV
Mark Shelton Mark is a freelance musician / producer / clinician based in Dallas, TX. Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Dallas Wind Symphony, Daystar Singers & Band, Strata Big Band, and Gateway Worship. www. marksheltonmusic. com