Choosing the Right Cymbals for Jazz Drummers

Unlike funk and rock which are drum-driven, jazz music is primarily cymbals-driven. Choosing these essential components of your drum set requires a special approach. In this article, we will share tips on how to choose, mix and match cymbals for jazz to get the best from your kit. 

What Cymbals You Need In Your Drum Set

Let’s start with the general overview of the cymbals jazz drummers typically use in their set. A typical drum set includes essential components — hi-hats, crash cymbals, and a ride cymbal. There may also be some additional components such as splash or china cymbals helping a drummer add more variety to music. The more cymbals your drum set includes, the more flexibility you have to experiment with different styles.

Let’s quickly explore what each specific cymbal does: 

Crash cymbals

These components are used to emphasize transitions and climaxes in songs. Their crash sound adds excitement and energy, which makes them perfect for fills and accents. Crash size varies from 14 to 18 inches, with larger cymbals producing louder sound. Orchestras and big jazz bands can use crashes up to 28 inches.

Ride cymbals

These are characterised by a clear bell sound and long sustain. They play the most important role in defining your jazz sound. Using ride cymbals, a drummer maintains a steady tempo during verses or quieter parts of songs. Jazz drummers typically select rides with a diameter of 20–22 inches.

Hi-hats

These are significant components of your drum set since some jazz songs center around hi-hats rhythms. Hi-hats feature two cymbals mounted on a stand — one above another, helping create the rhythmic foundation providing the sound of  several options: closed, half-open, or fully open. 

Splash cymbals

They were very popular in jazz in the 1920s and the 1930s. Thanks to their loud sounds, they work well for quick, bright accents during fills, breaks, and solos. On today’s market, you can find options with diameter ranging from 6 to 12 inches.

China cymbals

Their raw and trashy tone suits energetic moments of aggressive music styles. However, you can also hear them in jazz fusion, Latin music, and Brazilian music, especially in arrangements with drum solos. Also, china cymbals are used in conventional jazz, where drummers hit them with mallets or brushes to get a softer sound. 

Things You Should Consider when Selecting Cymbals for Jazz

1. All cymbals hum. Your goal is to select cymbals with a low-pitched hum that doesn’t overpower the stick response. It's especially crucial during recording. 
2. Even cymbals of the same brand can sound different. Always check them in music stores or listen to the sound file if you buy cymbals online. 
3. Your cymbals should be perfect for both riding and crashing. It means all of them should be able to accomplish two tasks. This will allow you to find the right sound for different soloists or tunes. 
4. You can mix the collection of various brands. If you want to use all cymbals of the same brand, go for it, but you don’t necessarily have to stick to one particular brand. Always listen to your ear and feel whether you like the combination of specific brands. 
5. Your bottom hi-hat cymbal should be heavier than the top cymbal. It’s also not a good idea to place two crash cymbals one above another as hi-hats. You can’t get the same effect. Ensure that the metal at the edge of the top cymbal is not too soft to prevent hi-hat cymbals from wearing out quickly and losing a chick sound. Also be open to using hi-hats of various sizes — 15, 13 or even 12 inches. 

How Size, Weight, and Shape Affect Cymbal Sound

• The size impacts cymbal sound and resonance. Larger cymbals are louder and resonate for longer.

• The weight is a crucial factor as heavy cymbals offer stick articulation and cut through a band better, while lighter cymbals provide a better spread of overtones.

• The degree to which cymbals curve outward from the bell to the edge affect the pitch and overtones. The more the cymbal is bowed, the higher the pitch and overtones

• Thickness is another crucial factor as thinner cymbals respond more quickly once the drummer hits them. 
  

Keep in mind that incorrect technique can make even expensive cymbals not sound well. 

Raw vs Polish Cymbals: Key Differences 

Raw cymbals are easy to recognize by their metal’s unrefined surface. They feature a natural and unpolished finish as they undergo minimal processing after manufacturing. Unlike raw ones, polished cymbals go through a series of grinding, polishing and lathing resulting in their shiny, smooth, and mirror-like surface. 

Let’s compare how raw and polished cymbals differ from one another due to their sound characteristics.

1. Polished cymbals stand out thanks to their cutting sound with pronounced high frequencies, while raw cymbals sound darker, featuring complex tones. 

2. Polished cymbals are preferred for loud music genres (pop, rock, and metal) thanks to their ability to cut through a dense mix, while raw cymbals work better for jazz, blues, and experimental music.

3. The smooth surface of polished cymbals results in a longer sustain and even vibration. Raw cymbals  have a shorter decay. They sound dry and provide better control. 

4. Polished cymbals work better for live settings as they offer high projection, cutting through loud music with their bright sound. Raw cymbals offer softer attack and blend naturally into the music.

Conclusion 

We hope our tips have helped you better understand how to choose proper cymbals for jazz among options available and how to match and mix them in your drum kit. 

You can find more information about various options and recommended brands by reading our article Top Cymbals Every Drummer Needs in Their Kit. 

We also invite you to explore our variety of High-Quality Accessories for Drummers, where you can find cymbals sets and leather drumstick bags — all handcrafted with attention to contemporary players' needs.