Thetriangle, or musical triangle, is amusical instrument in thepercussion family, classified as anidiophone in theHornbostel-Sachs classification system. Triangles are made from a variety ofmetals includingaluminum,beryllium copper,brass,bronze,iron, andsteel. The metal is bent into atriangular shape with one open end. The instrument is usually held by a loop of some form of thread or wire at the top curve to enable the triangle to vibrate, and it is struck with a metal rod called a "beater". The triangle theoretically hasindefinite pitch,[1] and produces a plurality of overtones when struck with an appropriate beater.
A 1614 painting byPieter Lastman depicts a musical triangle.
Iconography is the primary source for knowledge of the history of the triangle, and provides insight into the musical and social context in which the instrument developed.[2] Some scholars[who?] believe the triangle to be a direct descendant of the ancient Egyptiansistrum. Others[who?] do not go quite so far, referring to the triangle as being "allied" with the sistrum throughout history, but not a direct descendant.[3][4] Like the sistrum, the triangle, as seen in iconography, has its origins in religious settings.[5][4] The triangle is used as a liturgical instrument in the rites of theCoptic Church based in Egypt and theSyro-Malabar Church based inKerala, India.[4][6]
For decades, it was thought that the first iconographic witness of a triangle came from a 9th-century manuscript held atEmmeram of Regensburg, through longstanding writings byJames Blades and others, although recent scholarship does not share this view.[4] In the 14th century, early depictions of the triangle emerge from WesternChristian iconography.[4] From that time forward, the triangle is seen in iconography through the centuries, in a variety of sizes, and sometimes having jingling rings hanging from its rungs.[3][4] Triangles are depicted as having an open corner with the ends not touching, and also as having with fully closed corners; the sides are sometimes slightly curved.[2][4] Triangles are also in shapes that are not quite triangular, such as trapezoids and stirrup shapes.[4] The first known use of thewritten term “triangle” occurs in an inventory list of the musical instruments owned by the kapelle inWurttemberg, Germany.[4] The list was compiled byBalduin Hoyoul in 1589, over two hundred years after the iconographic emergence of the triangle in the fourteenth century.[4]
Around the eighteenth century, the use of the triangle began to expand; its sound started to bring about new musical connotations and associations. Influenced by ambassadorship, diplomacy, “Turquerie” and the new sounds of their own military bands, European operatic and orchestral composers began to incorporate the triangle as a means ofemulating the sounds of themehterân—the metallic sounds of thezil andcevgen, combined with the rhythmic pulse of thekös,davul, andnakkare.[4] The early use of the triangle in an operatic/orchestral setting was often not notated, and simply performed by ear.[4] When a triangle partwas notated, it was in steady, repetitive figures providing a march-like character.[7] The triangle was theavailable instrument in Europe for composers to write rhythmically, and with a metallic color.[4] However, the triangle wasnot used in functionalmehter music, nor was it used byJanissaries ormehteran while providing music for battle.[4] In the early nineteenth century,Romantic-era composers began to seek new colors, and explored the sustaining qualities of the triangle.[4][8] Preference was given towards a long, sustaining sound that only triangleswithout rings could provide.[4] Thus, the jingling rings associated with the triangle for five centuries prior, fell out of use.[4][8]
The triangle is struck with a metal rod called a "beater". Pictured are Chaklin brand metal beaters.
The modern triangle iseponymously named after thetriangle, though one of the angles is left open with the ends of the bar not quite touching. This opening is used to keep the instrument from having a definitepitch, creating many richovertones.[9] It is generally suspended from one of the other corners, commonly by a piece ofnylonfishing line, leaving it free to vibrate. Early examples of triangles include ornamental work at the open end, often in a scroll pattern.[4] In modern times, the scroll pattern has been abandoned and triangles are made from either steel or brass.[10]
The triangle is often the subject ofjokes andone-liners, as an archetypal instrument that seemingly has no musical function and requires no skill to play (theMartin Short characterEd Grimley is an example).[11] However, triangle parts in classical music can be very demanding, andJames Blades in theGrove Dictionary of Music and Musicians writes that "the triangle is by no means a simple instrument to play".
The triangle is typically suspended from a triangle clip that suspends the triangle so that it is free to vibrate. When the instrument is played with one beater, the hand that holds the triangle clip can also be used to damp or slightly modify the sound. The triangle is usually struck with a metal beater, giving a high-pitched, ringing tone. For complex, rapid rhythms, the instrument may be suspended from a stand using two clips, and played with two beaters, although this makes it more difficult to control. Most difficulties in playing the triangle come from the complex rhythms which are sometimes written for it, and it can also be quite difficult to control the level of volume. Very quiet notes can be obtained by using a much lighter beater; knitting needles are sometimes used as well. Composers sometimes call for wooden beaters to be used instead of a metal one, producing a unique tone.[12] Atriangle roll, similar to asnare roll, is notated with three lines through the stem of the note. It requires the player to quickly move the beater back and forth in either the upper or lower corner, moving the beater quickly between the two sides.
Infolk music,forró,Cajun music androck music a triangle is often held directly in the hand so that one side can be damped by the fingers to vary the tone. The sound can also be changed slightly by varying the area struck, and by subtle damping.
The triangle (known inCajun French as a ‘tit-fer,[17] frompetit fer, "little iron") is popular inCajun music where it serves as the strong beat, especially if no drums are present.[18]
In the Brazilian music styleForró[19] it is used together with thezabumba (a larger drum) and anaccordion. It forms together with thezabumba the rhythmic section. It provides usually an ongoing pulse, damping the tone on the first second and fourth while opening the hand on the third beat to let most frequencies sound. It can be used extensively for breaks, to improvise, and to vary the rhythm.
^Berry, Mark (2013).Sounds, Shapes, and Synergy: music for triangles. Bowling Green, Kentucky: Living Sound Publications.OCLC1015891527.
^Peinkofer, Karl, Tannigel, Fritz (1976).Handbook of Percussion Instruments. European Amer Music Dist Corp.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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