Beginners guide to picking up
CYMBALS FOR DRUMMERS
AMOGH RAO
A dilemma that most musicians face in their initial years is that of choosing gear . Be it analog pedals and digital processors for guitarists , or patches and presets for keyboard players , all of us have gone through the ambiguity of too many choices and not enough knowledge . We ’ re here to break down one such problem for budding drummers – Cymbals .
These tools occupy a range of frequencies like none other and require very responsible usage in order to communicate and not just add incomprehensible noise . As a starter guide , we can break down some major ideas here that you could further explore with the idea of listening as the most important tool in your quest for the right sound . So look them up , do your research and keep your ears perpetually open .
The Ride
Arguably the most defining sound for drummers in most genres , there are three major sounds you can look at when approaching this cymbal . First is the attack or the sound you get when the tip of your stick hits the cymbal . Depending on the kind of music you play , this would be anywhere from a bright , warm sound to dark and dry sound .
The second is the wash . This is the range of overtones and reverberations as a consequence of hitting a cymbal . The lighter you hit , the more short-lived the wash . If you ’ re looking to explore this sound , it would make sense to strike the cymbal using the shaft of your stick instead of its tip .
The third is the bell . This is the swollen centre of the cymbal that produces a very defined , sharp sound that decays quickly and cuts through every other instrument in the mix , and has to hence be used very responsibly . There are practically limitless different sounds a bell can make depending on the cymbal itself , and hence it makes for a major parameter when choosing the perfect ride .
While some of these terms might seem ambiguous , as you listen to a variety of cymbals you will understand the meaning attached to this jargon .
The Hi-Hats
This pair of relatively smaller cymbals forms the backbone of practically every genre of music and has such a wide usage in technique and sound that it makes for a very crucial element in any drum kit . Instead of delving into the complexity of its possible use , it would be better to consider a few major aspects that can define your own sound fairly well .
The first would be its sound when played shut . This is usually a quick attack , quick decay sound made by hitting the closed hi-hats with the tip of the stick and serves as the time-keeping spine for a countless number of songs and genres .
The second would be the open sound , played when the hihats are left loose and usually hit using the shaft of the stick . This creates an excessively washy and loud sound , but also a relatively quick decay , making it perfect to bind together loud and heavy music .
The third and often overlooked sound is that of a clap . The sound made when pressing the two hats together , which is similar to a closed hi-hat sound yet characteristically different . In order to make an informed choice it ’ s important not to overlook any of these .
The Crash
Probably the most commonly known and heard sound in the drum kit , the crash has such wide applicability combined with a lack of any definitive rules to its usage , that there is no way to make an informed choice without listening to each one individually . Two ideas to keep in mind , however , would be the overall pitch and frequency of the crash sound that is usually determined by its size , and the length of decay of sound and overtones , which would again decide how often and in which context to use the crash .
Effects Cymbals
This group of cymbals is pretty much every other cymbal outside of the three main ones above , including stacks , chinas , gongs , splashes and more . It would make sense to explore these only after getting a grip on the fundamental cymbals and their aspects , as these are born out of more niche needs and individual preferences , along with usage in specific genres .
Again , it would be important to emphasize on how impractical this guide will be without actually listening to every element of every cymbal you can . Not just virtually , but in studios and stores and a live context . Your ears are a priceless tool , and with some initiative and a small head-start using this guide , we ’ re confident you ’ ll be capable of expressing yourself in the best manner possible .
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