In Western music, a China cymbal (or Chinese cymbal) is a special kind of cymbal that makes a loud, sharp, and sudden sound. This type of cymbal is sometimes called a "trash cymbal" because of the way it sounds. The name "China cymbal" comes from its shape, which looks similar to a musical instrument called the Chinese Bo. These cymbals are often placed upside down on stands to make them easier to hit and to produce a better sound.

China-type cymbals are commonly used in many types of rock music, especially heavy metal and thrash metal. They are also frequently used in jazz fusion, Latin music, and Brazilian music, particularly in songs with complex drum solos. In Latin music and some other styles, China cymbals are often played with other percussion instruments like timbales, octobans, or the surdo instead of a drum kit. In conventional jazz, they may be struck with mallets or brushes to create a softer sound similar to a "dark crash" cymbal.

Sometimes, these cymbals appear in orchestral music. Examples include Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie and Edgard Varèse’s Ionisation, which use a suspended cymbal.

Anatomy

China type cymbals usually have a bell that is either cylinder-shaped or shaped like a cone that has been cut off at the top. The outer edge of the cymbal is curved upward in the opposite direction of the main curved part of the cymbal. These cymbals often have little or no change in thickness from the bell to the edge. The inside of the bell is usually not polished. However, many China type cymbals may not have all of these features. The most important feature that defines China type cymbals is their sound, which is different from the sound of Turkish cymbals. China type cymbals produce sounds that come from the Chinese tradition of making cymbals, not the Turkish tradition.

Cymbals are grouped into two or three sound categories: Turkish, Chinese, and sometimes European. Some people include European cymbals as a separate group, while others see them as a development of Turkish sounds. The best Turkish and European cymbals have a full, rich sound that some describe as "sweet." To Western listeners, the best China type cymbals have a rough or harsh sound, which some drummers call "trashy."

These categories sometimes overlap. For example, pang and swish cymbals share some features with both China type cymbals and traditional Turkish cymbals. Some cymbals, like Sabian rocktagon and certain Ufip models, are classified as China type cymbals even though they do not have the typical physical features of China type cymbals. The Paiste crystal crash cymbal is considered a European cymbal despite having a bell shaped like a square.

Cymbal making in China is said to have begun before it started in other parts of the world. A special metal used to make cymbals, called bell bronze, was developed independently in China. Today, China produces a wide variety of cymbals, including both traditional styles and imported designs. Traditional Chinese cymbals, such as chung, jing, and water cymbals, have unique names and sounds. In Western music, all of these are called China type cymbals.

China type cymbals come in many sizes, ranging from 27 inches (69 cm) down to 8 inches (20 cm). Most are sold individually, though some are sold in pairs. Cymbals 12 inches (30 cm) or smaller are often called china splash cymbals in Western music. In a drum kit, these cymbals are used as effects cymbals to add variety and color to the sound.

In a drum kit, China type cymbals can be mounted with the bell facing upward, like other cymbals, or with the bell facing downward. When the bell is placed downward, the curved edge of the cymbal turns downward, allowing drummers to use standard stick techniques for both ride and crash patterns. This works only if the bell is shaped in the usual way. Some China type cymbals, such as the Paiste 2002 Novo china, have bells that are shaped upside down and edges that curve upward. These cymbals must be mounted with the bell facing upward to achieve the downward edge position.

Types

The inside of the bell has a rough texture and a reversed edge. The bell has a rounded shape and a reversed edge. Some cymbals have this feature, while others do not.

The swish and pang are unique sounds produced by china cymbals. These cymbals were originally designed as special ride cymbals but are also used for crashes at louder volumes.

A "China splash" cymbal is usually 12 inches (300 mm) or smaller in size.

Sabian calls their 12-inch and 14-inch (300 mm and 360 mm) nova Chinese models mini Chinese.

The Rocktagon, a cymbal made exclusively by Sabian, has an octagonal shape. Its sound is between that of a crash cymbal and a china cymbal. The cymbal is first made as a round shape and then cut into an octagon after being lathed. Available sizes include 16-inch (41 cm), 18-inch (46 cm), and initially 20-inch (51 cm), as well as 8-inch (20 cm) and 10-inch (25 cm) Rocktagon splash models.

Sticking techniques

China cymbals are played in different ways based on the type of music being performed. In modern metal music, drummers often use the shoulder of the stick instead of the tip to create a "trashy" sound. In other types of music, such as jazz, where less hammered cymbals are used for a lighter and less distorted effect, drummers typically strike the cymbal with the tip to produce a "sizzle" sound.