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Add Personality to Percussion
Cymbal manufactures tinker with design features to make “effects” cymbals with unique sounds to add splashes of personality to all types of music.
Cymbals generally are made from four copper-based alloys: bell bronze, malleable bronze, brass, and nickel silver. Changing the metal mix is one way to create unique sounds. Because sound travels in two directions on a cymbal—in concentric circles, as well as from bell to edge and back—holes, bumps, grooves, and changes in size and shape also greatly affect sound.
Larger cymbals are generally slower to respond, sustain longer, and have a lower pitch, but most important increased size means increased volume. The thinner (lighter) a cymbal, the higher the pitch. The taper (change in thickness from the cup to the edge) determines crash or ride-like qualities.
A larger bell means more overtones and longer, full-bodied sounds and lower pitch, while a smaller bell has a more defined sound. The profile (bow)—curvature from the cup to the edge—affects pitch and overtones. Higher profile creates higher pitch, while a flatter design creates lower pitch and more overtones.
Through lathing, concentric rings are cut into the surface. Large, deep grooves open up sound, while fine, shallow grooves sweeten sound.
Hammering adds richness to the sound and different styles of hammerheads (or peens) produce different shapes, size, and depth in the dimpling of the surface. Some manufacturers swear by hand-hammering for rich, deep tone, yet others say that hand-hammering, recreated by computer-controlled machinery, makes a more consistent sound.
Cymbals can be hammered randomly or symmetrically. Sound traveling through unorganized hammer marks creates overtones and a dark, warm sound. Symmetric hammering creates a high, bright, cutting sound as vibrations travel more easily.
When metal is removed from a cymbal, resulting in holes or channels, sound wave travel is diverted adding complexity to overtones and vibrato.
Ultimately, the only tools you need to select your next cymbal are your ears and an open mind. And although effects cymbals add interesting accents, use them sparingly. You wouldn’t want their cutting sound to create a noisy distraction and take away from the overall beauty of a piece.
Inverted China
Unlathed surface, uniform thickness, and inverted China shape give this cymbal a bright, silky, powerful, yet exotic, sound.
Try this: Paiste RUDE Novo China
Chopper
Innovative three-layer design fits on a stand to deliver super-fast white-noise responses. Chopper is a great effect for playing rhythms and accents in drum and percussion set-ups.
Try This: Sabian Chopper
Dustbowl
This dustbowl hybrid cymbal was developed to be suspended in mid air for a splashing sound or dropped onto another cymbal to create a crashing rattle.
Try This: Hammerax Dustbowl
Spiral trash
Spiral Trash’s unusual appearance and sound addinterest to all types of ensembles, marching bands, and drum sets. Its unique overtones and wave-like timbre expands the sound palette of any set up.
Try This: Zildjian Spiral Trash Effects Cymbal
Looking for more articles on drums? |
| Covered Book Resources |
| It's Electric: Digital Drum Kits |
| EXPERT ADVICE: SETTING UP YOUR MIKES |
| The Beat Man |
| The Rhythm of the Night |
