Page:Instruments of the Modern Symphony Orchestra.djvu/60



This instrument has come to us from China and is a round plate of hammered bronze with the edges turned up like a large tambourine. It is struck with a soft bass drumstick. Its effect in fortissimo is that of a terrible clangorous uproar which is of the utmost service to the composer when depicting scenes of horror. Struck more gently, or pianissimo, its effect varies between the solemn and the lugubrious. It is used mostly in connection with deep chords sustained by the brass instruments or by the lowest tones of clarinets and bassoons. It is an instrument without definite pitch.

This instrument, as its name implies, consists of a bar of steel bent in triangular form with one angle open. It is hung by a cord to a music stand or any suitable bracket and is struck with a small steel rod. It produces a bright, tinkling sound, without definite pitch, and is used to enhance light, fairy-like movements by marking the rhythm. The trill is of frequent occurrence and is executed by alternately striking two sides of the triangle.

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