Why Do Drummers Have So Many Cymbals

Posted by Mike Schumacher

Drummers love cymbals and love to show off how many they have. This article will attempt to explain why drummers have so many cymbals and how they choose which ones to use.

The most common reason for having more than one cymbal on a drum is to use cymbals to get a brighter or fuller sound.

Some percussionists want to have a subtle sound, some want an aggressive sound and some want a combination. Others do not mind the sound but rather prefer that it creates a clean sound.

There are many different ways to achieve these effects. Playing a blend of cymbals or avoiding them altogether can also change the sound of the instrument.

1. Using cymbals to enhance the groove

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Although most drummers have only a few cymbals, some do use more than four. The use of more than four cymbals allows for a different kind of sound than the “just add to the bottom” approach.

The reason for using more than four is to take advantage of the sounds that cymbals create. This is the reason why cymbals are used to create a more “flatter” tone, which enhances the beat.

One of the most popular ways to get a balanced sound is to have two bass cymbals and one mid-range cymbal in your kit. With four bass cymbals on the kit, you get the cleanest sound.

This is because bass cymbals do not have a lot of resonance.

While four bass cymbals are a great choice, it is often recommended that cymbals be in your kit in pairs.

This is due to the resonant sound that a cymbal is capable of producing.

A percussionist may want to have a deep and dark sound with the mid-range cymbal and a brighter and fuller sound with the low-mid tones.

By adding more than two cymbals, you will have the opportunity to add any number of cymbals to your kit. While four is the most popular number, a handful of percussionists have used up to six.

2. Using cymbals to create a higher tone

Although it sounds counter-intuitive, a louder drum sound is sometimes necessary to get a stronger and brighter sound.

This is because cymbals can amplify a sound and create a louder sound. By amplifying a sound through cymbals, you can create a more “presence” on the cymbal.

When using one cymbal, it can sound like a small “blip” but adding multiple cymbals can create a higher sound.

This can also create a high-pitched sound. It is recommended that you use three, four, or five cymbals to get a noticeably stronger sound.

A great way to use cymbals to amplify a sound is to have one large-sounding cymbal with a smaller-sounding cymbal. This is also great to add the richness that you hear in the larger drum sound.

3. Using cymbals as a scratchpad

One of the biggest mistakes that many drummers make is neglecting to use their cymbals. It is very easy to get lost in the shuffle with other instruments and forget about these loud tools.

This is why it is important to use cymbals in your kit.

By adding one to three bass cymbals to your kit, you can create a cymbal scratchpad. You can choose to leave the cymbal out or add it as a cymbal pad.

With the cymbal pad, you can take control of the sound and create a sound that compliments the rest of your kit.

4. Using cymbals as a high-pitched melodic instrument

Playing cymbals as a melodic instrument is great for a variety of reasons. This is because cymbals can create a melodic sound and can help to create an arpeggiated chord.

The primary reason to use a cymbal as a melodic instrument is the amount of “up and down” motion cymbals produce.

A lot of cymbals have a downward motion and a quick “return” motion. This upward motion creates a vibrato sound.

If you are performing a melody or melody rhythm, the cymbal can “slide” up and down.

Melodic cymbals also have a high amount of resonance and can create a sound that can be used as a flanger.

This will change the frequency of the sound to create a similar effect. If you are playing with another instrument, the cymbal will bring out the harmonics of the other instrument.

5. Using cymbals to create a vibrato

Vibrato is often known as vibrato or shaker. This is because vibrato is a type of vibrato.

The terms can be used interchangeably but vibrato is more of a “growl” than a “shiver.”

It can sound really good if you are doing a quick shiver on a cymbal. However, if you are playing slow riffs, vibrato is not usually a good option.

While vibrato may not always be a good choice, a strong vibrato sound can be created with two bass cymbals or on a rimshot cymbal.

A rimshot is a larger cymbal that has a more extended bottom than a bass cymbal.

A rimshot will vibrate more than a smaller bass cymbal. This cymbal can create a vibrato sound.

If you have a hard ride cymbal and you play a hard riff, you will often get a loud vibrato sound.

An alternative to vibrato is to layer a couple of bass cymbals. This will allow you to layer a couple of bass cymbals and create a vibrato sound.

In doing so, the bass cymbals will vibrate together creating a “shrieking” sound. You can also use this sound as an accent and play it on the crash cymbal.

If you play a harder riff, the cymbals can create a wave sound. If you play a soft melody, the cymbals will vibrate together creating a “shimmering” sound.

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