Crash/ride

Laca · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 12:15 pm Post subject: Crash/ride

I'm looking for a crash/ride cymbal, perhaps 18". What would you guys recommend? What do you think of Paiste 18 medium and Paiste Innovations cymbals?

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

Might I ask what style of music this is for, or how you're planning on applying it?

If you want a decent crash/ride, I'd stay away from most of the B8 bronze cymbals in almost any brand. I'd recommend you check out 18" crashes as well. I personally am using an 18" Z custom rock crash from Zildjian as a ride for all styles of music ranging from metal to latin to jazz, and it works great.

Old-Marching-Snare · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:32 am Post subject: Crash / Ride

Okay, what is the difference between a crash cymbal and a ride cymbal?

And then, what is a "splash" cymbal used for?

Thank you,

- Jim

Old-Marching-Snare · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2003 9:40 am Post subject: From Virginia Tech Dept. of Music

Crash Cymbals:

A matched pair of cymbals (circular brass plates) that are held by leather straps and hit together to make a loud, metalic crashing sound. They are typically used in concert bands, symphonic bands, and symphony orchestras to provide loud dramatic crashes at high points in the composition, softer crashes to provide a wider spectrum of sounds, or often a constant rhythmic pattern to keep a rhythmic pulse of the composition (as in a march).

Ride Cymbal:

A cymbal (circular brass plate) that sits on a stand at an angle as is part of the drum kit (drum set), and is struck with drum sticks or brushes to keep a rhythmic pulse of the composition. The use of repeated rhythmic patterns created by the performer with the sticks or brushes on the cymbal are referred to as "riding." Other types of cymbal can be used to "ride" on, but the ride cymbals have a sound quality that can be struck continuously throughout a composition and not distract the listener from the other components of the music. Ride cymbals can come in thicker or thinner versions that provide the right sound for certain styles of music and are typically 20 to 22 inches in diameter. A rock band may require a heavier cymbal for the louder music where a jazz band or combo may prefer a thinner lighter sound.

Splash Cymbal:

A cymbal (circular brass plate measuring from 6 to 16 inches across) that sits on a stand at an angle as is part of the drum kit (drum set), and is struck with drum sticks or brushes to keep a rhythmic pulse of the composition. This cymbal is named for the expolsive splash sound that it produces. It is used to provide special accents in a composition where its special sound will add a unique effect.

Sizzle Cymbal:

A cymbal (circular brass plate) that sits on a stand at an angle as is part of the drum kit (drum set), and is struck with drum sticks or brushes to keep a rhythmic pulse of the composition. The name sizzle comes from the rivets (known as sizzles) that are loosely attached to the outer rim of the cymbals to give the listener the illusion of a longer sustaining of sound with the sizzling sound of the rivets vibrating on the cymbal. Any size (typically from 6" to 22") or weight cymbal can be made into a sizzle cymbal and it is used occasionally in a composition for the special effect that it produces.

Hi-Hat:

A pair of cymbals mounted horizontally which are operated by a pedal and by being struck with a stick. The hi hat is an essential part of a drum kit.

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

A crash cymbal also deliniates a cymbal within a drumset with a size ranging from 12" to 20" used primarily for loud cymbal accents.

A splash cymbal is a smaller accent cymbal with a diameter between 4 and 12 inches.
(will edit this to be more thorough when I'm fully awake)

Old-Marching-Snare · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2003 3:47 am Post subject: The Cymbals...

Saurencaerthai, thank you.

So a crash is used for loud emphasis and a splash is a much smaller cymbal, perhaps used for additional peaks of drum 'color'... then a ride is a cymbal of any size (drummer's preference) that is more unobtrusive?

Pardon my ignorance; this is extremely interesting. Things are getting more clear now and I'm sure that some other newbies will learn from this as well.

- Jim

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

It's quite alright.

In my philosophy, everything can be a ride. A ride cymbal can be a ride. A crash cymbal can be a ride, a floor tom can be a ride, even a music stand can be one! Typically, the ride cymbal is the largest cymbal in the set, aside from perhaps, a china cymbal, and it's primarily function serves as a sound for continuous rhythmic patterns, such as the jazz ride pattern. However, these patterns can be brought to other cymbals and drums.

The thing about where I'm coming from is that in Jazz, I feel, one must approach the set differently. The drums are all impliments to provide time, color, and form to the music, and at the more advanced levels, no one role is necessarily cut in stone for each part of the set. In a rock style, though, some might approach it as the crash cymbal being the cymbal you hit hard to mark sections or accents, and the ride is used only as an alternative to the hihat. Some fuse both of these ideas or use others altogether.

crowley35 · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2003 6:53 pm Post subject:

A ride cymbal, while the music can "ride" on anything, is typically one that gives a softer stick sound and a wash of overtones that doesn't interrupt the music, rather, it pushes it forward. A crash interrupts, causing a big break or accent that contrasts the ride's suttle movement of the beat forward. Does that make any sense at all?

Old-Marching-Snare · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2003 5:16 am Post subject: Thank You

mc_hamma2003 · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2003 8:43 pm Post subject:

In reply to laca's question , In my personal opinion find something within the sabian AA series. i personaly do not condone the usage of paiste cymbls Wink

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

I'm curious, mc_hamma2003:
What don't you like about Paiste?

Pond Drummer

Saurencaerthai · King Kong Joined: 24 Sep 2002 Posts: 2609

If you read one of my posts, I reclarified that a splash ranges between the diameters of 4" and 12". Crashes range from 12" to 20" typically.

crowley35 · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2003 3:51 pm Post subject:

But remember that splashes and crashes are made the same. Same pattern of thickness reduction toward the edge, etc. They just call them different things.