Setting up cymbals on a drum kit is an art that balances ergonomics, playability, and sonic projection, ensuring every strike is comfortable and effective for the drummer. The goal is to create a setup that feels natural and allows for a full range of motion without strain.
Fundamental Principles of Cymbal Placement
A fundamental principle for all instruments on your drum kit, including cymbals, is to prioritize your comfortable range of motion. You should never have to reach too far or too high to access any part of your kit, as this can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and hinder your playing fluidity and speed.
- Ergonomics and Reach: Your cymbals should be positioned so you can play them without stretching, reaching over, or craning your body. Sit at your kit and simulate playing to find the most natural positions for your hands and feet.
- Sonic Blending: Consider how each cymbal interacts with the rest of your kit and how its sound projects in your playing space. Adjust height and angle to optimize projection and prevent unwanted ringing.
- Personal Preference: While there are common guidelines, your cymbal setup is highly personal. Experiment with different positions until you find what works best for your body and musical style.
Essential Cymbal Types and Their Setup
Understanding the purpose and typical placement of each cymbal type is crucial for an effective setup.
Hi-Hat Cymbals
The hi-hat is arguably the most used cymbal, providing rhythmic drive and articulation.
- Placement: Typically positioned to your left (for right-handed drummers), within comfortable reach of your left foot pedal and left hand for stick work. It should sit slightly above your snare drum, but below your lowest crash cymbal.
- Height: Adjust the hi-hat stand so the top cymbal is approximately 6-8 inches above the snare drum rim. Your left hand should be able to strike the top cymbal, edge, or closed pair comfortably.
- Angle: Most drummers keep their hi-hats relatively flat, but a slight angle can improve stick rebound and sound.
- Foot Pedal: Ensure the hi-hat pedal is easily accessible by your left foot, allowing smooth open/close transitions.
Crash Cymbals
Crash cymbals are used for accents and punctuation. Most drummers use at least one, often two or more.
- Main Crash (Left): Often placed above and slightly to the right of your hi-hat, and to the left of your mounted tom(s). This is usually your primary crash.
- Example: If you have a rack tom, this crash might be positioned just above it, or to its left.
- Second Crash (Right): Commonly placed over your floor tom(s) or to the right of your ride cymbal.
- Height: Crash cymbals should generally be high enough to clear your other drums and cymbals, allowing them to ring freely, but low enough to be easily struck with a glancing blow. Avoid setting them so high that you have to reach upwards significantly.
- Angle: Angle crash cymbals towards you (about 30-45 degrees) to allow for a natural glancing strike, which protects the cymbal and produces the best sound.
Ride Cymbal
The ride cymbal provides consistent rhythmic patterns and often serves as a primary timekeeper, especially in jazz or lighter rock.
- Placement: Typically positioned to your right, over the bass drum or between your first rack tom and floor tom. It should be easily accessible by your right hand without reaching.
- Height: The ride cymbal is often set slightly lower than your crash cymbals, as it's played more frequently and requires a comfortable playing position for its bell, bow, and edge. Ensure it clears your mounted toms.
- Angle: Keep the ride relatively flat or with a slight angle towards you, allowing for comfortable playing of the bell and bow areas.
Effect Cymbals (Splash, China, etc.)
Effect cymbals add unique textures and accents. Their placement is highly flexible.
- Splash Cymbals: Small and quick-sounding, often placed in accessible open spaces. Common spots include between the hi-hat and first crash, or near a tom. They can be mounted on a boom arm off another stand or on a dedicated splash stand.
- China Cymbals: Known for their explosive, trashy sound. Often mounted upside down (flange facing up) to achieve their characteristic sound and protect the edge. They are usually placed to the right, often over a floor tom, or to the left near a crash.
Hardware Considerations for Cymbal Setup
Proper hardware is essential for cymbal stability, protection, and sound.
Cymbal Stands
- Boom Stands: Offer greater flexibility and reach, allowing you to position cymbals in places where a straight stand base might interfere with other drums or hardware. Ideal for crashes and effect cymbals.
- Straight Stands: Simpler and more compact, often used for ride cymbals or hi-hats where less reach is needed.
- Stability: Always ensure stands are spread wide and weighted properly to prevent tipping, especially with larger cymbals or aggressive playing.
Sleeves, Felts, and Washers
- Plastic/Nylon Sleeves: These slide onto the cymbal stand's threaded post and prevent the metal post from contacting the cymbal's center hole, protecting against keyholing and cracks. Always use them.
- Felts: Placed above and below the cymbal, felts prevent metal-on-metal contact and control the cymbal's sustain and wobble. Thicker felts typically dampen sustain more.
- Washers: Often metal or plastic, these are placed between the bottom felt and the stand's base to further protect the felt and ensure the cymbal rests evenly.
Step-by-Step Cymbal Setup Guide
- Set Up Your Drums: Begin by setting up your bass drum, snare, and toms first. This establishes the core of your kit.
- Position Your Hi-Hat: Place the hi-hat stand to your left, ensuring the pedal is comfortable for your left foot and the cymbals are at a good height relative to your snare.
- Add Your Ride Cymbal: Place the ride cymbal stand to your right, over the bass drum or between your rack and floor toms, making sure it's easily reachable by your right hand.
- Integrate Crash Cymbals: Position your main crash cymbal to your left, ensuring it clears your hi-hat and rack tom. Add any additional crash cymbals to the right, often over your floor tom.
- Incorporate Effect Cymbals: Place splash, China, or other effect cymbals in any remaining ergonomic spaces, utilizing boom arms for flexibility.
- Check Your Reach: Sit at your kit and test every cymbal. Can you hit each one comfortably without over-extending? Adjust heights and angles as needed.
- Secure Hardware: Tighten all stand memory locks and wing nuts securely, but avoid over-tightening cymbal felts, which can choke the cymbal's sound.
Tips for Optimal Cymbal Setup
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different heights, angles, and even positions for your cymbals. What works for one drummer might not work for another.
- Record Yourself: Sometimes, seeing yourself play on video can highlight ergonomic issues or awkward reaches you might not notice while playing.
- Listen Critically: Play through various grooves and fills, paying attention to how each cymbal sounds and feels within your setup. Adjust to optimize both sound and comfort.
- Consider Your Genre: Different music styles might favor slightly different cymbal setups. For example, jazz drummers might keep their ride lower for intricate stick work.
| Cymbal Type | Typical Placement | Key Setup Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Hi-Hat | Left side, above snare drum | Foot pedal accessibility, comfortable stick height |
| Main Crash | Left, above rack tom / left of first mounted tom | Clearance from other drums, angled for glancing blow |
| Secondary Crash | Right, over floor tom or to the right of ride cymbal | Easy reach, appropriate height to clear other drums |
| Ride | Right, over bass drum / between rack and floor toms | Comfortable access to bell and bow, lower height for ease |
| Splash | Flexible, often between hi-hat and crash | Small, placed in open ergonomic spots |
| China | Flexible, often over floor tom or to the right/left | Mounted inverted for sound, clears other kit pieces |
By following these guidelines and prioritizing your comfort and range of motion, you can create a cymbal setup that enhances your drumming and allows you to play with greater ease and expression.
