The History of Cymbals by Scott Hutton

The history of cymbals actually began about 5,000 years ago when metalworkers in Mesopotamia, the “cradle” of early civilization, discovered that they could make their tools and weapons stronger by combining copper with a little tin. They called the new metal alloy Bronze and it was an instant hit. Over the next several thousand years this breakthrough—along with the processes of mixing, casting, shaping and tempering (further strengthening the

material by heating and quickly cooling it)—was further refined and spread throughout the ancient world; south to

Egypt, east to Persia and China and north to the area that would eventually become Turkey. Turkish Bronze was initially used for military and religious purposes but it gradually found its way into musical instruments including bells and cymbals. By the time the Ottoman Empire was established, around 1300 AD, the Turks had already begun to become great cymbal makers and their instruments were fixtures in Turkish music. With Constantinople (Istanbul) at the center of Turkey,

the Ottoman Empire and two continents, it became a major crossroads for travel and trade between Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The Empire’s influence extended over the region for centuries and the use of

Turkish cymbals became common in Classical European operas and orchestras. As the age of world exploration and enlightenment (1650-1800AD) dawned, the Turkish formula and method of cymbal production had been perfected by generations of cymbalsmiths. Cymbals

made in Turkey grew increasingly important as Western civilization and culture expanded. In the early 1900’s, the modern drumset was born and cymbals began to take on the main time-keeping role in

new forms of popular music. The versatility, warmth and character of handcrafted Turkish cymbals became the standard of sound and performance for virtually every musical style that developed in the 20th Century. Today, authentic Turkish cymbals trace their heritage back to the original development of Bronze as well as to the artists and craftsmen whose skill and passion created the processes for turning bronze into fine musical instruments. No other cymbals feature this long and distinguished

legacy that has become the art and essence of Turkish cymbal making. While today’s Turkish cymbal masters are committed

to honoring the traditions of cymbal making that have supported the evolution of music for hundreds of years, they also remain dedicated to working hand-in-hand with

contemporary drummers to create new types of cymbals and cymbal sounds. This unprecedented and unparalleled combination of quality, experience, and innovation means that, together, genuine Turkish cymbals and the drummers who play them continue to make music and history.

About The Author

Scott Hutton is the owner of Cymbalism Musis at http://www.cymbalismmusic.com and has for the last 10 yrs carried one of largest and most diverse selection of handmade Turkish cymbals.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.cymbalimmusic.com