Cymbals are known from ancient times: the Bible mentions them in the psalms of David; they were used in Bacchic rituals of ancient Rome. The modern cymbal-making school has Turkish roots: the Zildjian factory, founded in 1623, still produces cymbals for the world's drummers.
In the symphony orchestra, large concert cymbals are clashed together for climactic effects (the finale of Mahler's First Symphony). In jazz and rock, various types are used: crash (a bright strike), ride (a steady rhythmic pulse), china (an exotic splash), splash (a short accent). Turkish and Chinese cymbal culture has entered Ukrainian jazz through contact between Ukrainian drummers and world masters.
