Drummers should select the best cymbals examining the cymbal’s material, size, and thickness, as well as listening to the instrument at low volume. Different types of cymbals should be chosen depending on the drummer’s specific needs, but the most popular are hi-hats, rides, and crash cymbals. Players should try out a variety of cymbals before purchasing one, and listening to someone else play can also be beneficial. Personal preference ultimately determines the best cymbal, but players can benefit from understanding the factors that influence tone.
The sound quality and range of tones a cymbal can produce are affected the material it is made of. Many people believe that the best cymbals are made of cast metal, which is made up of 80% copper and 20% tin. B20 bronze is the name given to this mixture because of the amount of tin used. These cymbals produce a high-quality sound with a wide range of tones. B8 bronze cymbals, also known as sheet metal cymbals, are in the middle, while brass cymbals are the worst.
Size can also be used to determine which cymbals are best for a particular player. Larger cymbals produce more volume, sustain, and a richer sound. This is beneficial to rock musicians, as quiet cymbals can get lost in the mix during loud concerts. Smaller cymbals are quieter, respond faster, but have less sustain. The duration of the sound is measured in sustain.
In the same way that size can be used to determine the best cymbals, thickness can be used to determine the best cymbals. Thicker cymbals have a higher volume and longer sustain than thinner cymbals. Because of the increased thickness, it takes more energy to get the full sound, but it’s ideal when a lot of volume is required. Thinner cymbals have less volume and require less effort to sound fully. A thick crash cymbal, for example, necessitates more effort to achieve the full “crash” sound than a thinner one.
The most important factor in selecting the best cymbals is to play them before purchasing them. Light and heavy touches should be used to see how the cymbal reacts to different volumes. Drummers should pay attention to the quality of the main tone and the presence of overtones during soft strikes. Overtones are supplementary sounds to the main sound that are less noticeable. While someone else is playing, drummers can move around the room to get a sense of how the instrument sounds from the listener’s perspective.