On Aug 26, 2005, at 7:12 PM, Darcy James Argue wrote:
Hey all,
This is regarding the "Basic Orch Percussion" GPO instrument included
in GPO Finale Edition (and GPO full):
Can anyone tell me what the difference is supposed to be between the
cymbals they call "piatti cymbals" (found at C6, C#6, and D6) and the
"crash cymbal" (found at D#6)? I know they all *sound* different (and
the "crash cymbals" are obviously hit harder and allowed to righ) but
aren't all of these samples crash cymbals? And what is a "piatti
cymbal" anyway -- isn't that like saying "cymbal cymbal"? Am I
missing something here? Does the word "piatti cymbal" have some
special meaning -- distinct from "crash cymbals"?
Yes, piatti are cymbals, but usually the word when alone and
unqualified by any other word refers to a pair of hand cymbals
specifically, rather than a suspended cymbal (piatti is plural, piatto
would be one, presumably suspended cymbal.) I don't know whether GPO
follows this convention or not, but you could try to discern whether or
not it seems to be one struck with a stick or two struck together. You
can hit them together softly, too (which a lot of non-percussionists
tend to forget!), "swish" them together, and/or mute them against your
chest - not strictly a crash, so that might be the meaning of "piatti
cymbals" while the "crash cymbals" might be just a louder stroke of the
same instruments.
I agree it's confusing and badly named. I would never write anything
that prone to misinterpretation on an actual part. Obviously, for GPO
purposes, use the sound you like the best for the context.
Christopher
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