Triangle (musical instrument)

The triangle is a percussion instrument made of metal belonging to the group of idiophones because the resulting sound is the result of the vibration of the metal after being hit with a steel rod or occasionally with a drumstick. of wood. As its name indicates, it is shaped like a musical triangle. , with the particularity that one of its vertices remains open. It is generally made of steel, but sometimes made of other metals or alloys such as beryllium copper. Normally the player does not hold the instrument directly on one of its sides but rather by means of a string tied to the upper vertex. Fishing line is usually used since, in addition to its resistance, it does not influence the vibration of the instrument. It is common for the thread to be tied to a clamp, which will allow the instrument to be held on a stand or other type of support.

The shape of the triangle has varied considerably, formerly appearing in some representations as a closed or open equilateral triangle, or also as a trapezoidal shape similar to a stirrup, see the lower part of the right panel: The Inferno of The Garden of Earthly Delights of the Bosch. This type of triangle is represented with rings inserted in the lower bar that provide added vibration to the instrument, producing a continuous rattle.

It was not until the beginning of the 19th century when the rings disappeared and the triangle its clear and incisive tone that is known in the present.

The sound of the triangle is sharp and of indefinite height, which does not mean that it does not generate specific notes. The musician can make the triangle sound open or closed depending on how he or she holds it. The triangle has great projection, which allows it to be heard above the orchestra. It is popularly believed and said that it is one of the simplest musical instruments to manipulate, but, however, it requires study and some practice is necessary to achieve a good sound result. Most of the difficulties in playing the triangle come from the complex rhythms that are sometimes written for it. Another complication lies in the volume control. To obtain a soft dynamic, a much lighter rod can be used, sometimes even knitting needles are used for this type of dynamic. Other times, the percussionist is required to perform a tremolo and, to do so, he must beat the rod in a very controlled manner in one of the closed corners of the instrument.

Inclusion in the orchestra

In the orchestra it already appears in the middle of the XVIII century in the Overture in G by J. F. Fasch, in El rapto en the seraglio (1782) by W. A. Mozart, in Symphony No. 100 (1793-94) by Haydn or in Symphony No. º9 op. 125 (1822-1824) by L. V. Beethoven. These composers included the triangle in their performances of Janissary music, a musical event that toured Europe during the 18th century. The triangle was used at the end of the 18th century in the bands of janissaries called mehter which used to They are responsible for exciting the soldiers on the battlefield, also providing solemn music in special ceremonies, which are precisely where the triangle was used.

It was introduced into the orchestra as a colored instrument, and may even be the only percussion instrument in a symphony along with the timpani as can be seen in the allegro giocoso of the Fourth Symphony op. 98 of Brahms. Antonín Dvořák was also a composer who often used this double combination: in the last movement of the Symphony in Ebop. 10, in the andante con moto of his Symphony in F op . 76 and in the Scherzo of the New World Symphony op. 95.

The first piece to use the triangle prominently was the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 composed in 1849 by Franz Liszt, where it is used as a solo instrument in the third movement. Richard Wagner also used it in the Wedding Chorus of his opera Lohengrin premiered in 1850.

Position

The percussionist in charge of the triangle plays raised and with his arms slightly raised, leaving the triangle above the rest of the orchestra to prevent the sound from being lost among the rest of the orchestral sound mass. This allows the dynamics of the instrument to be better appreciated.

Musical styles

Folkloric and popular music

In folk music, Brazilian forró, Louisiana Cajun music, and rock music, the triangle is often hooked over the hand so that the fingers can muffle the sound by varying its pitch.

In the case of the forró it is used together with the zabumba, with which it forms the rhythm section and an accordion. It typically provides a continuous pulse, damping the tone on the first, second, and third sixteenth notes, while opening the hand on the third to allow most frequencies to ring.

	Sound of triangle in Latin style A triangle played in Latin style, controlling movements with the hand to achieve a rhythmic effect.
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