Cymbals
- How to get Started!
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Cymbals
are one of the most interesting instruments that a
percussionist can play.
They can be one of the most beautiful sounds in an
ensemble or when played incorrectly they can sound like a
car crash! Here we will discuss a few helpful hints on
selecting both crash cymbals and suspended cymbals. Just
call me the “Heloise” of the percussion world! Well,
maybe not!
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Crash
Cymbals
When
buying crash cymbals finding the right pair can be
almost as tricky as playing them! When I refer to crash
cymbals in this context, I mean two cymbals that are
struck together and not a single crash cymbal on a drum
set. A good thing to look at when you are buying cymbals
for yourself or a band/orchestra is to determine what
type of music you usually play.
If you play light classical or French music you
will want thinner cymbals. In comparison, if you play a
lot of marches or mostly Germanic music you will want a
thicker cymbal. Now, if you are a band and orchestra
director you are probably thinking, “Well, my ensemble
plays all kinds of music from Beethoven to “The Theme
from the A Team!” In this case you would want to buy
an “all purpose” set of cymbals. Most groups usually
don’t have the budget to buy multiple sets of
cymbals. |
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Here
are some good guidelines to follow when looking for a
set of general-purpose crash cymbals.
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A
medium to medium heavy thickness will work best.
This is usually marked on the cymbal.
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Listen
for a darker sounding tone with a wide range of
overtones.
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Make
sure that both cymbals are not the same pitch.
This will help create a broader sound.
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8”
or 19” cymbals are good sizes for all around
playing.
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One
last thing to think about is straps and pads
for your crash cymbals. It is good to look for
a pair of softer suede or leather straps. If
you get a pair of straps from a music store or
cymbal company, they will often have a shiny
side with the company logo stamped on them. I
usually invert them and use the rough side on
the outside making them easier to grip. If
your hands sweat when you play the cymbals,
this will help you as well. It is best to get
a pair of straps that tie inside the bell.
These are easy to maintain and if the strap
stretches a little you can always retie them
or use a double knot to hold them. Make sure
that you keep an eye on them so they don’t
come loose while playing! |
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In
general, I don’t suggest using
cymbal pads on your crash cymbals.
They tend to muffle the sound
slightly and dampen the ring.
However, for some younger players
pads do help control the cymbals and
the slight vibrating shock that you
get when crashing them
together. |
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Suspended
Cymbals
Most
of the qualities that you look
for in crash cymbals you look
for in suspended cymbals;
however, there are a few
differences. Here again there
are many options to choose
from, but we will concentrate
on what to look for in an
all-purpose suspended cymbal.
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You
will want to look for a cymbal
of medium thickness. A thin
cymbal is nice for soft
delicate notes; however, for
loud notes or big crescendo
rolls a thin cymbal won’t
give you enough body of sound.
A cymbal that is too thick
won’t give you enough ring
and sustain. Most cymbal
companies make cymbals that
are specifically marked for
suspended cymbals. Check out
cymbals between 18” and
20”. These will be the best
for general playing. |
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Again,
check the pitch and sound of
the cymbal. It is a little
easier with suspended cymbals
because it is just one cymbal.
Listen for a good range of
overtones and for the sustain.
If possible stand back 20 feet
or so and have someone else
play the cymbal with a yarn
mallet. This will give you a
better idea of the overall
sound of the cymbal. |
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Most
people mount their suspended
cymbal on a regular stand.
This will work perfectly fine
as long as the stand does not
have any rattles and the
cymbal is resting on a felt
washer and not touching any
metal. Nothing can ruin a beautiful soft suspended cymbal note like
a buzz or a rattle from the
stand! Another alternative is
using a gooseneck cymbal
stand. This is where the stand
has an arm that you can hang
the cymbal by a strap. This
stand can be more expensive;
however, the cymbal tends to
ring a little better and it is
less likely that the stand
will rattle. The gooseneck
stand makes changing cymbals
during a piece easier if
necessary. |
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Always
strike the cymbal with either
a medium weight stick or a
yarn mallet. Many stick
companies have started to
market lines of mallets and
sticks just for suspended
cymbals. Most of the products
are great, but if you have a
pair of medium to medium soft
marimba mallets they will work
fine as well. Unless the music
calls for a cymbal scrape or
effect, do not use metal
beaters on the cymbals. This
produces a harsh tone and will
bend the edges of the cymbals. |
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When
purchasing either a suspended
cymbal or crash cymbal set,
make sure that you completely
check them out before you
purchase them. If you deal
with a music store, have them
order a couple of pairs for
you to try out. It is very
scary to buy cymbals and not
get a chance to hear them
until they are delivered to
you. I know some drummers that
would rather buy a car sight
unseen than buy cymbals
without hearing them before
hand! Remember that once you
purchase them you will have to
listen to them for quite a
while. Make sure that they are
ones that you will want to
hear forever! |
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Good
luck,
Kirk
Gay |
Kirk
Gay is a Professional
Percussionist, Composer &
Arranger. His award-winning
talent has taken him across
the globe. He is currently a
member of the Express Music
Percussion Staff, where he
contributes his musical
talents to arrangements,
original compositions, and his
experience and knowledge to
informative articles in Staff
Notes.
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©
Express Music Services, Inc.
Not to be reproduced without written
permission from Express Music Services. |