cymbal

Everyday

1. A cymbal is a round flat metal plate used as a musical instrument, hit with a stick or clashed against another cymbal to make a loud ringing crash. tree →
2. (music) A hi-hat is a pair of cymbals on a drum kit worked with the foot. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons cymbals belong to the percussion family; in an orchestra or band they make big crashing sounds. In stories, cymbals clash in parades and celebrations; in the Bible (Psalm 150) people praise God with loud cymbals. Phrases: «crash cymbal», «clash the cymbals», «hi-hat cymbal».

Examples

• The drummer crashed the cymbal at the end of the song. tree →
• Clash the cymbals together when I nod. tree →
• Cymbals are part of the percussion section. tree →
• The noise of the cymbals made the baby jump. tree →
• The psalm says, «Praise him with loud cymbals.» tree →
• My little brother wants a drum kit with real cymbals. tree →
• The Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air resounded with music and cheers. tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «cymbal» (music instrument) and «symbol» (a sign, like + or a heart) sound the same. Remember: a cYmbal is played by a drummer — Y like a drumstick. Countable: cymbals.

In Jewish tradition

A metal instrument played in the Temple by the Levite singers to praise God. It is named in Psalm 150 with the other instruments of praise.

Interpretation. Tradition says the Levites played cymbals in the Temple service with the singing. Psalm 150 is read as a call for every kind of music to praise God.

Examples

• Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals. (Writings PSA.150.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed, with cymbals of brass to sound aloud; (Writings 1CH.15.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And David and all Israel played before God with all their might; even with songs, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. (Writings 1CH.13.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone trap: «cymbal» (music instrument) and «symbol» (a sign, like + or a heart) sound the same. Remember: a cYmbal is played by a drummer — Y like a drumstick. Countable: cymbals.