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Cymbals are slightly concave thin metal
plates of indefinite pitch. They are used in the percussion
section of bands and orchestras, singly or in pairs, the player
striking the two together or hitting one with a beater. Their
modern orchestral use dates from the late 18th century.
All cymbals are handmade, the best coming from Turkey. They
are capable of all gradations of volume. Cymbals in a variety
of sizes are known from biblical times, but small ones are
rarely used now. Modern orchestral cymbals are usually at
least 36 cm (14 in) in diameter. Lightweight, thinner cymbals,
suspended from a stand or attached to the trap-drum set, are
used in jazz and rock bands.
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