Crash Cymbals– typically used foraccentswith very rich andexplosive sound
Ride Cymbals– used to playsteadypatterns, often similar tohi-hats, have more shimmering,sustaining sound.
In the past, they were mostly used by the dance band drummers, and those drummers werenot richso,they weremostlyused by drummers who could only affordonecymbal!
Crash Cymbals
The crash cymbal is surely the loudest piece of a drum kit. A stand-alone cymbal gives a loud, sharp, and explosive sound to emphasize certain parts of a song.
This type of cymbal gives dramatic accents when being hit, usually at the end of a musical phrase – this adds much excitement and variety to your sound.
This type of cymbals comes in different styles and sizes, but the most typical ones are14 to 18 inches(35.56 to 45.72 cm.)
They can vary in weight and thickness, leading to a difference in sound – the more thick the crash cymbal is, the brighter sound it will produce. The standard drum set will have at least one or two crash cymbals.
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Hi-hat is a set of two matching pairs of small or medium-sized cymbals facing each other from the bottoms and put together on a stand.
Along with this set, you will also need to include a foot pedal. The pedal will open and close the pair of cymbals and create the “chick” accent whenever you strike the top one with the drumsticks.
The weight of cymbals is quite important, for the jazz kit, or use in smaller venues, you should go for the smaller ones – 10”, 12” or 13” – and if you play in a more dynamic and powerful band, or louder settings, you should go for the larger ones – 15” or 18”.
These days,the most common Hi-Hats are 13 and 14 inches, but many drummers go for those 15 and 18 inches cymbals.
You can mix and match different cymbals to achieve a top sound – for example, the lighter top will give you a more dynamic range, and the heavier bottom will give you volume.
Ride Cymbals
The ride cymbal isusually the largest drum kitand is most often used to play patterns.
You will enhance the grooves by playing those patterns and depending on which ride you will pick up, you will get different tones.
There are many different types of rides, heavy, light, with different shapes and sizes, and the most standard ones you will find are 20 inches ones.
Since there are different sizes,the ride cymbals come from 16 to 26 inches.
Depending on where you hit the ride, you’ll get a different sound – which is good for different styles of music.
Often, drummers will crash the edge of the ride if they are playing a heavier style of music, the body of the ride is for normal and lighter-in-nature patterns, and the bell sits at the center of the cymbal gives more punctuated accents.
Splash Cymbals
Splash cymbals help drummers to provide their riffs and solos with accents. The design of the Splash cymbals allows them to create a short and sharp sound, precisely the one that resembles a splash of water.
These cymbals are usually smaller, but they rangefrom 6 to 13 inches. The most common sizes drummers use are 8” and 12” splash cymbals.
China Cymbals
China cymbals are named after the Chinese gong because of the resemblances in look and sound.
The edges are upturned, the bell cylindrical, and the sound they create is dark and trashy.
This type can also sound explosive and crash-like, so they are played similarly to crash cymbals.
They come in different sizes,ranging between 16 and 24 inches.There are also smaller ones, like those of 12 inches, called china splash cymbals.
Stack Cymbals
Stack cymbalsare two or more cymbals stacked on top of each other, and the sound they produce often gives a gritty and trashy tone.
Sizes are different, and it doesn’t matter. The stacks can be combined with different cymbal types as long as they fit well together.
If you don’t want to buy a manufactured set, you can make your stack cymbals.
Be aware that it can be tricky due to many different and possible combinations, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a great and unique one.
Effect Cymbals
Effects cymbals can be a wide variety of cymbals. For example, you may know that the Splashes, Chinas, and Stacks are considered effects cymbals, but those with larger holes and funky hammering deliver sharp and trashy sounds.
Nearly all brands have been experimenting with this type of effects cymbals. For example, many Hi-Hats, Crash, Splash, China, and other types feature different holes within the cymbals, which distort the sound waves and create that special effect of a sharp and aggressive sound.
TheO-zone cymbalsare effect cymbals manufactured by Sabian. This type of cymbal has lots of holes in cymbal, and it delivers a bright and shimmering sound.
There are alsoBell cymbalswhich are small and thick. These cymbals are usually mounted on another cymbal and produce a unique and high-pitched tone.
Another way you can achieve the different effects of your cymbals is by usingCymbal Bacon Sizzlerthat will make it sizzle. It is perfect for Rides, Crashes, and Chinas, but it can fit on top of any cymbal that is up to 22”.
