The bo () is a
percussion instrument originating in
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, a type of
cymbal. It consists of two plates that are clashed together. It is a
concussion idiophone.
The
Metropolitan Museum of Art has one from nineteenth century China. Both parts have a diameter of 56.5 centimeters.
China cymbals used by rock and jazz drummers are similar to the bo, but are mounted on stands and played with drumsticks. Bo are usually realized in
bronze.
In the
Sichuan opera they are used to emphasize the movements of actors.
[ (cf. also ).]
Xiaobo is a variant of cymbals whose diameter ranges from 12 cm to 14 cm. Other variants are zhongbo (medium cymbals), shuibo (water cymbals) and dabo (large cymbals).
References
Chinese musical instruments
Cymbals
{{Cymbal-stub