Crotales

Crotales, also known as antique cymbals, are percussion instruments. They are made from small, tuned bronze or brass disks. Each disk is about 10 cm (4 in) across and has a flat top with a nipple on the bottom.

People play crotales by hitting them with hard mallets. They can also be played by striking two disks together or by using a bow. The sound of crotales is like a small tuned bell but brighter and with a longer echo.

The name crotales comes from the Greek word crotalon, which refers to a castanet or rattle. Modern crotales are arranged chromatically and can cover a range of up to two octaves. They are often sold in sets that include one octave but can also be bought individually. When writing music for crotales, it is usually written two octaves lower than the actual pitch they produce.

Uses

Crotales are used in many musical pieces. They were first used in an orchestra in Hector Berlioz’s Roméo et Juliette in 1839. Famous composers like Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Henri Dutilleux also used them.

Today, crotales are used in many kinds of music, including rock. Musicians like Neil Peart from Rush and Alan White from Yes have used them. Other groups such as The Bengsons and Wilco also use crotales in their performances.