Normal modes of an 18 inch crash cymbal

The crash cymbal gets its name from the manner in which it was traditionally played. The percussionist held one cymbal in each hand, more or less vertically, and 'crashed' them together in a glancing blow. To facilitate this, a central dome was included to which a handle could be attached, while the outer edges were bent slightly downwards. Today these cymbals can often also be seen mounted horizontally on stands and struck by drumsticks. Sometimes 'sizzlers' are also present within the main body.