Here is a more detailed explanation of the physics behind how a cymbal produces sound:
1. When a drumstick strikes a cymbal, it causes the cymbal to vibrate. The cymbal vibrates because it is elastic, meaning that it can store energy when it is deformed and then release that energy when it is released.
2. The vibration of the cymbal creates sound waves. Sound waves are created when an object vibrates and causes the air around it to vibrate. The faster the object vibrates, the higher the pitch of the sound wave.
3. The sound waves travel through the air and can be heard by our ears. Our ears are able to detect sound waves and convert them into electrical signals that are sent to our brains. Our brains then interpret these signals as sound.
The sound of a cymbal is unique because it is a combination of many different frequencies. The fundamental frequency of a cymbal is the lowest frequency that the cymbal vibrates at. The overtones of a cymbal are the higher frequencies that the cymbal also vibrates at. The combination of the fundamental frequency and the overtones gives a cymbal its characteristic sound.