Learning Drums.org

When it comes to choosing cymbals there are a couple of important things to keep in mind. You must always conceder the type of music you are going to play, what type of instrumentalist are you going to be playing with and many other factors, especially for playing jazz, because most of the rhythms being played are centered on the ride cymbal. The sound you get from the cymbals and drums is very important and it mainly depends on your touch, but selecting the right equipment is the first step in giving yourself the best instrument to work with.
Cymbals tend to be loud to begin with, especially if they are not played with a mature touch. I find it harder to find a cymbal that has a nice sound and doesn’t get too loud as I play it than a cymbal that isn’t loud enough.
Decide what type of cymbals will best support you as a player – the sizes, thickness and brightness that are typical for the type of gigs you do. If a Tony Williams vibe is what you’re after, then you’ll need a heavy jazz ride that can provide good stick definition. If you want that Dave Grohl sound, you’ll need to invest in a ride cymbal that can also be crashed. If you’re a freelancer who plays in any number of styles, it’s important to have a variety of sizes and weights to select from. But don’t go overboard; a good drummer should be able to draw music out of any cymbal. Test out new cymbals in conjunction with your existing setup. As with the strings on a guitar, your cymbals should mesh sonically as a set, so don’t feel afraid to bring your cymbal bag with you when you buy. Most music superstores have “cymbal testing rooms” for just this purpose. Take advantage of them!
A set of cymbals should be chosen to match the nucleus of the cymbals. First would be the ride cymbal. The ride cymbal should be THE cymbal. For me, a good ride cymbal is a statement. It is akin to a horn player finding the right reed and mouthpiece combination to suit their sound. It should be medium to low pitched. 20″, 21″, or 22″ are the desired sizes. The crash/ride would be the next choice. A crash ride, sometimes called a left side cymbal, should be a schizophrenic cymbal; it can crash as well as be a supplemental ride cymbal. This cymbal will be a little higher pitched than the ride cymbal. It should also compliment the ride cymbal. 18″, 19″, or 20″ would be recommended sizes. Now in closing, the main cymbal manufacturers are Sabian, Zildjian, Meinl, and Turkish. Each brand makes very nice cymbals that sound equally great. A lot of drummers will like to stick with one manufacturer when selecting cymbals. This is nice for consistency sake on your kit, however, do not let this guide what cymbals you buy next. If you like the sound of a Sabian crash, but already own a Zildjian ride cymbal, do not hesitate to buy. We hope this will help you out the next time you go out to buy a new cymbal!

Learning Drums.org Staff

Leave a Reply