Turkish crescent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Turkish crescent, (also Turkish jingle, Chinese pavilion, jingling johnny, Schellenbaum, chapeau chinois - literally "Chinese hat") is a percussion instrument consisting of a long pole with numerous bells connected to one end, using crescent shaped crosspieces and has been traditionally used for military bands and parades.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Turkish Crescent is believed to have originated in Turkey as the chaghana and may have been the successor of the zurna.[citation needed] It was used as a percussion instrument within the Janissary band as a way to keep time with music and marching. It was used on the first beat of every measure.
It is thought that the chaghana was made known to Western Europe during the last of the Hapsburg Wars with Turkey (1657-1683). However, it didn’t become popular in military bands in Western Europe until the late 18th century. Sources from that time period reveal that Prussian influence on Europe was probably responsible for this because of their restrictions on percussion in military bands. This changed when the instrument was formally introduced. It then rapidly spread in use in Russia, Poland, Prussia, and Britain, in that order.
The glockenspiel is believed to have derived from the Jingling Johnnie.
It may have an antecedent in the staff of a Central Asian shaman. This instrument is seen in the front of marching bands, and was used by the composer Joseph Haydn in his 100th Symphony (nicknamed Military).
It was also used for division and unit heraldry in parades of the Third Reich.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
http://www.msu.edu/~carillon/batmbook/glossary.htm Bells and Their Music - Chaghana
Chappell, Mike. Wellington's Peninsula Regiments. Osprey Publishing, 2003.
Blades, James. Percussion Instruments and Their History. Bold Strummer, 1992.
