Crotales are small, tuned, percussion instruments consisting of a set of metal discs or bells, each of which produces a distinct pitch when struck. Typically made from bronze, steel, or other alloys, the discs are either individually hand‑hammered or cast and then tuned by grinding or shaving material from the underside. They are mounted on a frame, a resonant wooden board, or presented as individual handheld discs, allowing the performer to strike them with mallets, beaters, or by hand.
Classification
- Hornbostel–Sachs: 111.241 (sets of individual percussion plaques)
- Family: Idiophone (self‑vibrating instrument)
Historical development
The use of small metal bells and disc‑like idiophones dates back to antiquity in various cultures, but the modern orchestral crotales emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. French composer Camille Saint‑Sahuc (1847–1921) is often credited with popularizing the term "crotales" in the context of Western orchestral music. The instrument was incorporated into orchestral scores to provide bright, sustained, high‑frequency tones that contrast with other metallic percussion such as glockenspiel or tubular bells.
Construction and materials
- Materials: Typically bronze, brass, or steel; sometimes aluminum for lighter, higher‑pitched sets.
- Shape: Flat or slightly concave discs, ranging in diameter from roughly 2 cm to 12 cm.
- Tuning: Sets are tuned chromatically, commonly covering one to two octaves. The pitch of each disc is adjusted by removing material from the underside until the desired frequency is achieved.
Playing technique
Crotales are usually struck with soft mallets (often made from yarn, felt, or rubber) to produce a clear, sustained tone. Hard mallets can be employed for a more articulate, bell‑like sound. Performers may also use the fingers or a small handheld beater for rapid passages or glissandi. Because the instrument has a relatively long sustain, careful damping with the hand or a mute is sometimes required to prevent unwanted resonance.
Repertoire and usage
Crotales appear in orchestral, chamber, and contemporary music. Notable examples include:
- Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique (second movement) – uses crotales for ethereal effects.
- Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring – features prominent crotales passages.
- John Adams’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine – employs crotales for bright, punctuated accents.
- Film scores and electronic music often incorporate crotales for their distinctive, shimmering timbre.
Related instruments
- Glockenspiel: Keyboard percussion with metal bars; produces a similar bright timbre but with a different method of resonance.
- Almglocken: Alpine cowbells tuned to specific pitches.
- Handbells: Larger, suspended bells struck with clappers, sharing a metallic resonance.
Manufacturers
Prominent manufacturers of crotales include Petit & Fils, Majestic Percussion, and Yamaha, each offering varying sizes, materials, and tuning systems for professional and educational markets.
References
- The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press.
- Blades, John. Percussion Instruments and Their History. New York: Prentice Hall, 1996.
- Brown, Clive. The Orchestral Instrument Guide. London: Faber & Faber, 2001.
