Cymbal Making: Examining the Art of Bronze Metal Working from Ancient Times Through the Modern Era for the Manufacture of Cymbals

Humankind’s existence is interwoven with musical expression (song, dance, instruments) dating back to time immemorial. In all parts of the ancient world metal craftsmanship provided the means for expressing joy in worship or celebration, providing brilliance of sound when played in musical ensemble, and frightening one’s enemies in battle. The cymbal, a percussion instrument which evolved in the distant past and yet remains vibrant in today’s world of music, is examined through a lens of ancient manufacturing techniques and progressing different epochs of world history until modern times. Metallurgical analysis (chemistry, metallography, hardness) of various stages of cymbal production is presented (metal alloying, casting, heat treatment, forming techniques and technologies) and their effect on cymbal aesthetics and sound discussed.