cymbal
A cymbal is a common percussion instrument consisting of a thin, round plate of metal alloys. It is played by being struck with a drumstick or by hitting two cymbals together to create a loud, ringing sound.
Examples
3 of 5The drummer finished the song with a loud crash on the cymbal.
The musician ended the track by hitting the brass plate loudly.
The orchestral arrangement requires a pair of finger cymbals for the final movement.
The formal music plan needs small metal plates for the last part.
Don't hit the cymbal too hard, or you might crack it.
Avoid striking the metal disk with too much force to prevent damage.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Cymbal' starts with 'C' like 'Crash'—the sound it makes!
Quick Quiz
The drummer used his stick to hit the ___ at the end of the beat.
Correct!
The correct answer is: cymbal
Examples
The drummer finished the song with a loud crash on the cymbal.
everydayThe musician ended the track by hitting the brass plate loudly.
The orchestral arrangement requires a pair of finger cymbals for the final movement.
formalThe formal music plan needs small metal plates for the last part.
Don't hit the cymbal too hard, or you might crack it.
informalAvoid striking the metal disk with too much force to prevent damage.
Modern cymbals are typically manufactured using sophisticated bronze casting techniques.
academicContemporary percussion plates are made using advanced metal-shaping methods.
Our music store is offering a twenty percent discount on all professional cymbal sets this month.
businessThe business is reducing the price of high-end drum plates for a limited time.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
crash of cymbals
a sudden loud noise made by the instrument
clashing cymbals
the act of hitting two plates together
ride the cymbal
to play a continuous rhythm on the ride cymbal
Often Confused With
A 'symbol' is a sign or mark that represents something, while a 'cymbal' is a musical instrument.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always used in a musical context. When referring to a drum kit, specific types like 'hi-hat' or 'crash' are often specified.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is spelling it as 'symbol' because the two words sound exactly the same (homophones).
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Cymbal' starts with 'C' like 'Crash'—the sound it makes!
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'cymbalum' and Greek 'kymbalon', which means a small bowl-shaped vessel.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Cymbals have been used since ancient times in religious rituals and military music before becoming standard in modern drum kits.
Quick Quiz
The drummer used his stick to hit the ___ at the end of the beat.
Correct!
The correct answer is: cymbal
Related Vocabulary
More music words
melody
A1A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.
note
A1In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.
scale
A1A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.
sharp
A1In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.
flat
A1In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.
beat
A1The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.
bar
A1In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.
time signature
A1A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.
instrument
A1An object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a piano, guitar, or drum. It can also be a tool used by scientists or doctors to do very exact work.
violin
A1A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.
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