Intermediate
Percussion (Concert) · Instrument Hub Specification and market analysis
Cymbals (Concert)
Orchestral/concert cymbals come in two related but distinct forms: suspended cymbals, mounted on a stand and struck with mallets or sticks for rolls and accents, and crash (hand) cymbals, played as a matched pair struck together for sharp accents. Both are indefinite-pitch metal percussion instruments, most commonly made from a bronze alloy.
Role in the orchestra and band
A standard section of the concert and orchestral percussion setup, used for accents, crashes, and sustained rolls. Like the concert bass drum, cymbals are typically an ensemble-owned resource rather than something an individual student purchases for themselves.
Sound and range
Indefinite pitch. Diameter and weight are the primary variables affecting tone: larger and heavier cymbals generally produce a darker, more sustained sound, while smaller and lighter cymbals respond faster with a brighter tone.
Common types
Suspended cymbal — mounted on a stand, played with mallets or sticks for rolls and single accents.
Crash (hand) cymbals — a matched pair played by striking together, for sharp accented crashes.
Viennese-style hand cymbals — a specific hand-cymbal design associated with the Viennese orchestral tradition, distinct in leather-strap mounting and playing technique from standard crash cymbals.
Who should choose the cymbals (concert)
Like the concert bass drum, cymbals are almost always an ensemble/institutional purchase rather than an individual student purchase. Selecting a specific model is a tone/weight/diameter decision made by a director or experienced player for the ensemble's repertoire and hall, not a beginner-vs-advanced choice.
Buying guidance for beginners and level progression
Concert cymbals are almost always bought by the ensemble, not an individual student, and the two major manufacturers most orchestral programs consider — Sabian and Zildjian — both offer dedicated orchestral/classical lines built specifically for concert use rather than drum-kit use. The main decision points are diameter and weight (which affect tone and response) and whether you need a suspended cymbal, a crash pair, or both — most established programs eventually want both.
Recommended starting points
Intermediate
Intermediate
Major brands
Sabian
Zildjian
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ reflects our own desk research. We'll add an "expert reviewed" label once a named, credentialed reviewer has been engaged for this subject.
Most established concert/orchestral programs eventually want both — suspended cymbals for rolls and sustained accents, crash cymbals for sharp accented hits. Which to buy first depends on your immediate repertoire’s demands.
Both are established cymbal manufacturers with dedicated orchestral/classical product lines; Zildjian traces its origins to 1623 in Constantinople, while Sabian was founded in 1981 in New Brunswick, Canada by Robert Zildjian. Specific tonal character varies by model and is best evaluated by an experienced director or player for your ensemble’s needs.