Cymbal Myth Busting

There are tons of myths surrounding cymbals. Before I was a maker, I played professionally and I constantly bought and sold cymbals looking for “my sound”. However, I had little understanding of what to look for (see the post “cymbal basics” to get my take on the foundation knowledge needed). Oftentimes the myths are what really get in the way of choosing the right sounds. Here’s my quick list of some myths and other things to keep in mind:

• With thinner, more nuanced cymbals, how you play them is ultimately the most important factor in the overall sound. You can order the cymbal that your favorite drummer plays, but it won’t sound the same.

• Cymbals sound WAY different out in front of the kit than they do from your perspective. How they translate through mics and a sound system can produce even more of a drastic difference. It’s important to “think ahead” past what you hear behind the kit to what the audience hears.

• Cymbal weight, while important, is only 1 factor among many. Bell size, overall shape, hammering technique, and taper have HUGE effects on the overall sound. Pay attention to those as well.

• Trashy and complex cymbals tend to have funky overtones that don’t necessarily translate through the microphones used to record them. When played in person, they might surprise you (not in a good way).

• Extremely thin, big, and washy cymbals are not always the right choice for darker tones. They can come across as “muddy” and lacking articulation.

These are just a few of many I could list, but they encompass some of the main misconceptions people have when approaching cymbal sounds.