Iu Mien Cymbals (Finger)

Cast in bronze or brass, Iu Mien finger cymbals, chao jae, are composed of a matching pair of slightly concave round plates that, when struck together, creates a shimmery metallic reverberation due to the series of high-frequency harmonics they emit.

The Iu Mien perform on a range of sizes of chao jae, from large cymbals held in each hand, to small finger cymbals, as seen here, played in one or both hands. Both cymbals are forged with a central boss, or bell, a feature that determines the cymbals’ pitch, tonal quality, and volume.

While not commonly heard in Southeas Asia, some Yao groups in China add the high ringing timbre of the chao jae finger cymbals to the percussion ensemble of chao jae hand cymbals, dzoe drum, and bo mang gong that supports the dzat double-reed woodwind during secular celebrations and Yao Daoist sacred rites.

Ethnic Group: Iu Mien

Local Name: Chao jae

Type: Cymbals (Finger)

Class: Concussion Idiophone

Tuning:

Age: Mid-20th c.

Materials: Bronze, cotton

Dimensions: 4.5 x 1 dia. cm / 1.5″ x 0.5″ dia.

Location: Thailand

Owner / Instrument Maker:

Catalog Number: 5928