Playing the Cymbal Properly

You just got your cymbal and want to use it properly so it can last for a long time to come. Because if you don’t play it right, you can ruin the cymbal. It can crack and that is it. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you play better so you don’t damage the cymbal.

 

·        Play the right cymbal. Every cymbal no matter which it is has strength and weaknesses. If you hit a cymbal that is thinner or smaller hard to just get a bigger sound won’t work. The best way to deal with this is to hit the cymbal the way it was designed for. Don’t abuse the cymbal. If you need a louder sound, try a bigger or thicker cymbal.

·        Prepare the stand properly. Every stand has to be equipped with certain things. Here is a list of what a stand is suppose to have:

o       A nylon tube that is over the center rod so the metal isn’t exposed.

o       A metal support washer is needed to prevent the cymbal from sliding down. It is best to have felt tip added to the metal tip of the nylon tube so as to protect the cymbal.

·        When you assemble the cymbal, do not tighten it down too much. The cymbal needs to be free to vibrate. Vibrations generate the sound. So make sure the cymbal is loose or you won’t get the sound you want.

·        Do not put cymbals as too much of an angle. Cymbals need to be fairly flat to work right. They only need to be angled slightly to you. If the cymbal is angled too steep, can’t move freely enough, thereby choking off the sound.

·        The best way to play cymbals is by hitting the edge of it. In other words crashing the edge with the stick. But don’t hit at the edge exactly. Hit above it slightly.