1. Vibration:
Crash cymbals are suspended metal discs that resonate when struck. When a drummer strikes the cymbal with a drumstick, the cymbal's metal alloy starts to vibrate rapidly. This vibration creates sound waves that travel through the air, reaching our ears.
2. Collision:
The collision of the drumstick with the cymbal also contributes to sound production. When the drumstick hits the cymbal, the impact generates a sharp, percussive sound. This sound is particularly pronounced in crash cymbals due to their thin nature, which allows them to vibrate more freely and produce a brighter, explosive tone.
As the cymbal vibrates, the sound waves bounce off nearby surfaces and objects in the environment, creating reflections and reverberations. This adds complexity and richness to the overall sound of the crash cymbals. The shape of the cymbal, its thickness, and the materials used in its construction also influence the specific tone and character of the sound produced.
The sound of crash cymbals is further enhanced by their sustain, which refers to how long the sound continues to resonate after being struck. The decay rate of a crash cymbal is determined by factors like its size, weight, and material composition. Longer sustain provides a fuller, more enduring sound, while shorter sustain yields a more staccato, percussive tone.
In summary, sound production on crash cymbals is a combination of vibrations and collisions. The vibrations of the metal disc, along with the impact of the drumstick, generate sound waves that interact with the surrounding environment, resulting in the distinctive sound of crash cymbals in music.