The Turkish Crescent was originally a member of "Turkish" military bands, and European armies adopted the instrument during the 18th century. Nowadays, the Turkish crescent, or jingling johnny as it is sometimes known, occasionally features in orchestras and French marching bands. Shaking the pole up and down and thumping it on the ground in time to the music, produces a striking jingling sound.
Family |
Percussions |
Pitch range |
None. |
Material |
Wooden pole, with metal bells and jingles. |
Size |
Up to 6 ft (1.80 m) high. |
Origins |
The Turkish crescent was developed for use in "Turkish" military bands, along with drums, cymbals, trumpets, and wind instruments. |
Classification |
Idiophone: an instrument that produces its sound through the use of the material from which it is made, without needing strings or a stretched skin. |
And also... |
Such was the enthusiasm for Turkish music in the late 1700s that King Augustus II of Poland became the envy of all Europe when the Sultan gave him a full Turkish band. |