DRUMS
CYMBALS ARE THE PROBLEM | Carl Albrecht
In most band settings, the cymbals are the most cymbals or adjusting your approach to playing. underneath so I’m not hitting it while I play. I
challenging problem drummers have to deal These types of sticks do the job perfectly. will also only use a one-inch wide strip of gaff
with. Of course, I’m speaking about volume You still have a stick sound, but because of tape because it’s already pretty dense. Leave
and tone, not life and personal issues. Ha! The the less density of wood, your volume drops a bit of the tape loose towards the edge, play
sound of cymbals can cut through a band and considerably. The key here is not to play harder the cymbal with one stick, and with the other
vocalist like nothing else. Even on large stages to make up for what you might think of as a hand pull the tape off until you get as much
cymbals bleeding into other microphones is a loss. That’s the normal reaction. If you’re new resonance as you want. I know this is a rugged
very common problem. So how can we “stop to this it will be a bit of a mind game to keep approach to cymbal tone control, but it works.
the bleeding?” How can a drummer help? yourself from hitting the drums and cymbals Don’t feel any guilt about adjusting the cymbal
If you’re willing to serve your team and learn harder. Keep telling yourself it’s OK, relax, and with this technique. They’re your instrument;
some tricks… I’ve got some ideas for you. just let everything sound softer. the tools of your trade. Do what you have to do
to get the results you’re looking for.
THE QUICK FIX I’ve written on this theme before, but the The immediate thing to do, besides not hitting questions keep coming. And the complaints! THE MONEY FIX
the cymbals, is to play with ‘bundle sticks’ like Other players and singers keep asking me how This can get expensive! If you just want to
Hot Rods by Promark or Splashsticks by Vater to get their drummers to not hit the cymbals buy darker/ dryer sounding cymbals that is
(my favorites). This is the first step in softening so hard… and then the drummers complain definitely a solution, but great cymbals are a
your cymbal volume without getting new about not liking the ‘loss of energy’. I think we, big investment. Go slow and listen carefully.
as drummers, have to remember that volume Play a lot of cymbals. Every cymbal company
does not equal passion. Many drummers is making a series that is targeting this concept.
struggle with keeping their volume down. It’s I personally love the Heartbeat Cymbals. I
just the nature of the instrument that makes have some of the Classic and Studio series
it so challenging. But we can work on our cymbals, but most of the time I’m using the Dry
technique and find ‘the tools’ that help us in the or Custom Dry cymbals. Like I said, everyone
process. That’s why I always first recommend is making this type of instrument so you can
smaller sticks or the bundle stick option. easily find what you’re looking for in your
favorite company.
THE STICKY FIX
Putting tape on your cymbals!? This may almost A special note here: smaller cymbals may not
sound sacrilegious, but many drummers do this be quieter. They are quicker and higher pitched
to control the volume of their cymbals or adjust usually, but that doesn’t necessarily solve the
the tone. If you must play with your favorite problem. Like other drummers I’m actually
stick but still want to control the volume of your playing larger diameter cymbals. But the weight
cymbals this is a great option. I do recommend and design affects the tone and projection so
using gaffers or ‘gaff’ tape, because it usually that’s why I say listen carefully. Even when using
will not leave a sticky residue when you want to new cymbals, I still use the option of gaff tape
remove it. When I’ve been in a jam I have used if I need to.
duct tape, board tape, or even normal Scotch
tape. If I’m working and have to get the job Remember, the goal is to make your cymbals
done you just ‘do what you gotta’ do’. But gaff work for you… and the music you’re playing.
tape is the better way to go.
To get a cymbal to quiet down I’ll put a strip
of tape on the bottom of the cymbal going
out from the bell to the edge. I like to put it
148
December 2018
Carl Albrecht
Professional drummer for 30+ years, playing with
Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Abe Laboriel,
LeAnn Rimes and others. He’s also a clinician,
author & pastor.
Contact Carl for coaching, online lessons, producing,
or sessions. I’m still growing too..
www.CarlAlbrecht.com
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