Crash Cymbal

A crash cymbal produces a loud, sharp "crash" sound and is used mainly for occasional accents. They are traditionally used in pairs, each one is held by a strap set in a bell.

Crash cymbals can be played with a drum stick or mallets, or by hand in pairs. The sound can be produced in several ways – rubbing the edges together in a sliding movement, striking the pair against each other, softly beating the edge of one cymbal against the body of the other, scratching the edge of one from the inside of the bell to the edge, or shutting the cymbals together and choking the sound.

Crash cymbals vary in thickness and weight. Bigger and thicker cymbals are usually used by big bands to produce a very loud accent.