Cymbals are a common percussion instrument used in many ensembles ranging from the orchestra, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands, and marching groups. Cymbals are an important part of any drum kit. Besides adding accents to your playing style, they can also help maintain the pace for your band. Without a quality set of cymbals, you’ll surely miss out on the fun part of playing drums. Here, you will find cymbals for every phase of your drumming life. Sip to the [easyazon_link identifier=”B0002IP49M” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]best hi-hat cymbals on Amazon[/easyazon_link].
Best Cymbals
Popular brands that make good quality cymbals include Zildjian, Sabian, Wuhan, Paiste, Meinl and others. There are some amazing cymbals out there for all drumming styles. Make sure you pick the right cymbals taking your own preferences into consideration.
Zildjian ZBT 3 cymbal pack
(for beginners)
Includes an 18″ crash ride and a pair of 13″ hi-hats along with a free 14″ crash. Polished, brilliant finish that provides excellent stick articulation and controlled overtones. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CXYDOTA” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link].
Sabian AAXplosion crash cymbal pack
(for beginners)
Includes all the essentials with a modern bright, shimmering sound (comes with a free 11″ splash). [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CME7LTA” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link].
Meinl HSC crash cymbal
Looking for a warm feel and more complex sounds, take a look at the Meinl HSC crash cymbal (made of brass). Offers a smooth attack and sustain, this cymbal has a harmonic and balanced sound, and the price is more than affordable.
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Sabian 20-inch ride cymbal
A great rock ride for the serious beginner. SABIAN B8 models deliver tight, bright sounds
An ideal introduction to Bronze cymbals. Delivers total clarity at all volumes. Pure, tonally tight sounds. Top quality, pure Bronze.
Best Cymbals for Jazz Sounds
If you are looking for traditional and classical jazz sounds, choose a a dark cymbal that has sustain value between the mid and long ranges. If you prefer more modern, lighter jazz sound, you’ll need a punchy cymbal with a shorter ride that produces a much brighter sound. Drummers typically prefer 20″ – 22″ for a jazz sound.
Best Cymbals for Jazz Sounds
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B000UFORJA” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Meinl Cymbals B20JCR Byzance 20-Inch Jazz Club Flat Ride Cymbal with Rivets[/easyazon_link]: Riveted for long sustain, Expensive
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B0030YAZLC” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Sabian SBR2012 SBR Series Pure Brass 20-Inch Ride Cymbal[/easyazon_link]: Riveted for vintage jazz sustain, no felts or stand, sound is not as good as premium cymbals
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B001SNJJIM” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Zildjian K Constantinople 22-Inch Medium Ride Cymbal[/easyazon_link]: Expensive, copper and tin metal construction, nice long sustain
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B00B7G2PCM” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Meinl Cymbals Byzance 22-Inch Extra Dry Thin Ride Cymbal[/easyazon_link]: unique sounds, solid B20 bronze alloys
Cymbals: Buying Guide
Many experienced drummers use cymbals to create their own unique drumming style, for example, a snare roll. No wonder, cymbals are an important part of their drum kit.
Drummers use cymbals to crash, smash and splash.
You just can’t have a full drum kit without a cymbal set. While cymbals have always been a part of our modern drum kit, this simple instrument has been around for centuries. A cymbal set is also an excellent introduction to percussion for the amateur musician, or a great gift for your talented young child.
How Many Cymbals in a Drum Kit?
Cymbals consist of thin, round plates (made of various alloys).
The three primary kinds of drum set cymbals are hi-hat, crash and ride. Then there are other types of “effect” cymbals – splash, china, swish, sizzle and more (these are more for the serious drummers).
Most drum kits usually incorporate at least a crash, ride or crash/ride, and a pair of hi-hat cymbals. You will have four cymbals: hi hat on the far left, ride cymbal on the right, two crash cymbals above, left and right.
Watch: Different Cymbal Sounds of a Drum Set
HI-HAT CYMBALS
Hi-hat cymbals are a must for a drum set; these come in pairs and are mounted on your hi-hat stand. Hi-hat cymbals provide the steady rhythm that you can hear in every kind of popular music. Hi-hat cymbals are typically 14 inches, but 13-inch is also very common.
RIDE CYMBALS
Next to the hi-hats, the ride cymbal is the most important cymbal. The ride cymbal plays the steady rhythm, when it’s not being played on the hi-hats. In fact, in jazz, its as important as the hi-hat. A standard ride cymbal is 20 or 22 inches. Beginner kits have 18-inch cymbal and some even use a 16-inch cymbal.
CRASH CYMBALS
Standard crash cymbal sizes are 16 and 18 inch, but you can get them in both bigger and smaller sizes.
You do get CYMBAL PACKS that has all the cymbals you need to get started.
Cymbal Racks Storage
There are some drummers who store cymbals in a case or bag, although its not a real solution as it doesn’t offer much convenience to them. Ideally the cymbals have to be easily accessible (while out of the way) so that they can be tapped for a quick sound check.
Factors to Consider
Your choice of cymbals impacts the sound it produces. Cymbals are available in a variety of sizes and types. Once you understand how it impacts the sound, your search for the right cymbal will become a lot easier. Before purchasing cymbals, consider these things:
What kind of music do you play? You will need to buy a cymbal that will produce the right kind of sound. Certain cymbals are better suited to specific musical styles.
- Drummers in louder bands usually use larger cymbals (generates more volume).
- Jazz drummers prefer thinner cymbal, sounds crisp and pleasing (when played lightly).
At minimum, a beginner drum set should have a pair of hi-hat cymbals and a crash/ride cymbal. If you can afford it, you should replace the crash/ride with a crash and a ride.
If you are a student or beginning drummer, checkout our collection of basic 2- and 3-piece cymbal sets that will have you up and playing in no time. More experienced drummers may consider specialized cymbals designed to help expand and amplify your sound. If you’re a drummer in an orchestra or drum corps, you will find everything you need in our marching band cymbals and symphonic cymbal selections.
Buying Links: Top Merchants
Cymbal packs take a lot of the guess work out when purchasing gear. When you buy cymbals individually, there’s no guarantee they will complement one another well. But when you buy a package of cymbals, you can rest assured that they are going to work very well together.
Checkout more drum/percussion accessories here.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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