Finger cymbals

Finger cymbals a form of cymbal used chiefly by dancers, either thimble-shaped, or shaped as miniature cymbals with central bosses, worn on thumb and finger, known since antiquity and still played in the Nr. East today. Small ancient Egyptian cymbals of 5-8 cm. (2-3 in.) in diam. have been excavated; they probably were finger cymbals. Such cymbals have definite pitch, and dancers often prefer a pair tuned a semitone apart (170). Sachs, Curt. The History of Musical Instruments. New York, 1940.