Cymbals are used throughout music today, from marching bands, orchestra pits, to even your neighbor's loud punk revival garage band. If you've listened to music at all, you've heard them. Musical historians indicate that the cymbal existed as far back as the 7th century BC. They gained popularity in Turkey around the 14th century and a early as the 17th century They were used in European music.
As the trap set developed, percussionists started to incorporate cymbals into what would become the modern drum set. Because they found their way into so many different types of music, there are a great many types available today. So many that it may be hard to figure out which ones you may need for your drum set. They can differ by type of alloy, manufacturing technique, finish, size, thickness, shape, and so on.
If your focus is on the drum set, there are different types of cymbals you'll use predominantly;
Drum set cymbals can be purchased in cymbal packs, where the manufacture puts together a similar set of cymbals that will sound good together. It is possible to have two different cymbals that have a 'dissonance'. That is, when they are played at the same time, their combined sound is dissonant, or unpleasant on the ears. Because of this cymbal packs are a popular choice.
If you're unsure what you're looking for in choosing the right cymbals for you, check out this Cymbal Buying guide.
There are even low volume cymbals or cymbal mutes for quiet practice, which makes for happy neighbors.
While not a complete list, these are the more well known makers of cymbals;
While not as large as the above companies the following are growing in popularity;
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