Table of Contents
Introduction to Cymbals
Cymbals are percussion instruments that form a crucial part of any drum set. They are typically made from alloys of metals like bronze and brass, which contribute to their unique sound characteristics. Cymbals come in various sizes and thicknesses, each affecting the pitch, volume, and overall sound they produce. They also come in a range of different styles and can commonly be split into two camps: bright and dark. The primary types of cymbals include ride cymbals, crash cymbals, and hi-hat cymbals, each serving a specific function in drumming.
Understanding Cymbal Types
Cymbals come in various types, each serving a specific purpose within a drum set. The main types include ride cymbals, crash cymbals, and hi-hat cymbals.
Ride Cymbals
Ride cymbals are typically larger and heavier, providing a steady rhythmic foundation with their distinct bell sound. They are crucial for maintaining rhythm and adding texture to your playing, making them a staple in genres like jazz and rock. Brighter cymbals, such as certain ride cymbals, are better for rock and metal and are easily recognized by their polished style.
Crash Cymbals
Crash cymbals, on the other hand, are designed to produce a sharp, explosive sound that punctuates musical phrases and adds excitement to your drumming. They are often used during transitions or to accentuate key moments in a song.
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Hi-hats consist of two cymbals mounted on a foot pedal, offering a wide range of rhythmic possibilities. They produce a crisp and bright sound, making them suitable for various musical genres. Hi-hats can be played with the foot or sticks, allowing drummers to create intricate patterns and maintain a steady groove.
Specialty Cymbals
In addition to these essential types, there are also specialty cymbals like splash cymbals, which are smaller and produce a quick, bright sound, and china cymbals, known for their trashy, exotic sound. Splash cymbals have a dryer and smaller sound than crash cymbals and are great for adding control over dynamics. These additional cymbals can add unique textures and expand the sonic palette of your drum set.
Cymbal Buyer’s Guide for Beginners
Selecting the right cymbals as a beginner drummer can be an overwhelming task due to the wide range of options available. When starting your drumming journey, it’s crucial to focus on cymbals that will complement your playing style and the type of music you aspire to play. Here are some essential tips to guide you in making an informed decision: Brass cymbals do not have the tone or playability needed for good musical performance, especially as a beginner, so it is advisable to consider alternatives like bronze cymbals.
- Understand Your Needs: Begin by assessing your musical goals. Are you interested in playing rock, jazz, or pop? Different genres may require different cymbal sounds. For instance, jazz drummers often prefer larger, thinner cymbals for their softer, more nuanced sound, while rock drummers might opt for heavier cymbals that provide more volume and sustain.
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on your cymbals. Entry-level cymbals are usually more affordable and are a great starting point for beginners. Brands like Zildjian and Sabian offer budget-friendly cymbal packs that include essential pieces such as a ride cymbal, crash cymbal, and hi-hats.
- Explore Cymbal Packs: Cymbal packs are an excellent option for beginners because they include a set of cymbals that are sonically matched to work well together. This ensures a cohesive sound across your drum set. Look for packs that include a ride, crash, and hi-hats, as these are the foundational cymbals needed for most drumming styles.
- Consider Material and Construction: Cymbals are typically made from either brass or bronze. Brass cymbals are more affordable and are suitable for beginners, while bronze cymbals offer a richer, more complex sound and are often favored by more experienced drummers. Understanding the material can help you decide which cymbals will best suit your needs. Bronze cymbals, particularly B20, produce warmer sounds, better sustain, and improved playability compared to brass.
Best Cymbals for Beginners
Sabian SBR Performance Set
- Pure Brass Performance Set is sonically matched by SABIAN Artisans
- Smartly priced, SBr Brass is in a class of its own
- SBr makes your first step into cymbals an easy one
The Sabian SBR Performance Pack stands out as an impressive entry-level cymbal set that defies expectations for brass cymbals. Including 14″ hi-hats, a 16″ crash, and a 20″ ride (with some packages offering a free 10″ splash), this collection delivers remarkable value for drummers transitioning from stock kit cymbals. Cheap cymbals are typically stamped from a sheet of metal and often made from brass or B8 bronze alloy, which explains their affordability.
What immediately impresses about these cymbals is their professional-grade hammering and lathing—manufacturing techniques typically reserved for higher-end bronze models. This attention to detail extracts surprising quality from brass, a material often dismissed by serious drummers.
The 14″ hi-hats provide tight, clean sounds when closed and satisfying fullness when opened. They’re arguably the most bronze-like of the collection, producing authentic and breezy sounds particularly suited for jazz rhythms. The 16″ crash delivers a punchy, loud response perfect for accenting, with a proper “whoosh” that contains modest richness rather than the brittle “ching” typical of brass cymbals. The 20″ ride offers clean stick definition with a bright bell that adds versatility across musical genres.
Sound-wise, these cymbals inject your kit with crisp, bright and expressive top end and an incredibly focused sound. While the decay is fairly rapid compared to bronze cymbals, there’s real substance and tone underneath the initial attack. This makes them suitable for beginners playing rock, pop, R&B, and even school jazz bands.
These brass cymbals perform remarkably well despite their budget-friendly price point. While they lack some of the complexity and character of bronze cymbals, they represent a significant upgrade from the low-quality options typically bundled with starter kits.
For beginners seeking affordable quality or intermediate drummers needing reliable practice cymbals, the SBR Performance Pack offers exceptional value. These cymbals won’t embarrass you on stage and provide a solid foundation as you develop your playing style and sonic preferences.
Zildjian Company I Series Pro Gig Cymbal Set
- Taking its name from Ilham – the Turkish word for inspiration
- Crafted from B8 alloy
- thinner weights that deliver washier and more emotive sounds
The Zildjian I Series Pro Gig Cymbal Set delivers remarkable quality and versatility at a price point that makes professional sound accessible to intermediate drummers. Named after “Ilham,” the Turkish word for inspiration, this comprehensive pack lives up to its namesake by providing a gateway to more expressive playing.
This expanded set includes 14″ hi-hats, 16″ and 18″ crashes, and a 20″ ride—a perfect configuration for drummers seeking versatility across multiple genres. Replacing Zildjian’s discontinued ZBT series, the I Series represents a significant upgrade in both construction and sound quality.
What immediately impresses is the sophisticated manufacturing. These thin-weight B8 bronze cymbals feature small-bore hammering and fully lathed playing surfaces that create a mature, glassy response. The result is a bright, clear tone with a pleasing mid-range character that cuts through the mix without overpowering it.
The hi-hats provide tight, responsive articulation with none of the tinny harshness often found in budget models. They maintain clarity when closed and offer satisfying fullness when opened. Both crashes deliver explosive, punchy sounds with distinct personalities—the 16″ providing quick accents while the 18″ offers fuller sustain. The ride cymbal impresses with excellent stick definition and a pronounced bell that works beautifully across rock, pop, and even jazz applications.
For recording scenarios, these cymbals shine with their balanced frequency response and musical decay. Live performers will appreciate their projection capabilities and visual appeal with their medium-sheen traditional finish.
While they certainly don’t match the complexity and nuance of Zildjian’s premium K or A Custom lines, the I Series Pro Gig Pack offers remarkable value. They’re durable enough for regular gigging, versatile enough for various musical contexts, and provide a sound quality that won’t embarrass you on stage or in the studio.
For drummers transitioning from beginner to intermediate levels or those seeking quality practice cymbals that can also handle performance duties, the I Series Pro Gig Cymbal Set represents an inspired choice that strikes an excellent balance between quality and affordability.
Meinl Cymbal Set Box Pack
- MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those...
- WHY IT MATTERS: playing HCS cymbals will sound more like what you hear in...
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: includes 14” hihats (top and bottom), a 16” crash,...
The Meinl Cymbal Set Box Pack emerges as a standout option for drummers seeking quality sound without a hefty investment. This comprehensive collection includes 14″ hi-hats, a 16″ crash, a 20″ ride, and a bonus splash cymbal that adds unexpected value to an already appealing package.
Upon first strike, these cymbals immediately impress with their bright, clean tonality. The high-quality brass construction delivers surprising warmth and projection, defying what you might expect from an entry-level cymbal set. The crash produces a satisfying wash without overwhelming your mix, developing a nice bloom that dissipates naturally rather than abruptly cutting off. The ride cymbal offers exceptional stick definition with a crisp, articulate ping that cuts through even in louder playing situations.
What truly distinguishes these cymbals is their versatility across musical genres. Whether tackling rock, pop, funk, or lighter jazz compositions, the Meinl Box Pack proves remarkably adaptable. The hi-hats deliver tight, responsive chicks when closed and a pleasant, controlled wash when played slightly open. Even when playing harder styles, these cymbals maintain their integrity without producing harsh overtones.
Durability stands out as another key strength. These cymbals hold up remarkably well under regular, energetic playing—an essential quality for practice sets that endure countless hours of experimentation and development. The brass alloy construction strikes an excellent balance between resilience and tonal quality.
For beginners establishing their first complete kit or intermediate players seeking reliable practice cymbals, this set delivers exceptional value. The inclusion of the bonus splash cymbal expands creative possibilities, allowing for accent work and sound color variations typically unavailable in starter packs.
While professional drummers might eventually seek more complex tonal characteristics, the Meinl Cymbal Set Box Pack provides an impressive foundation that will serve developing drummers well through their formative playing years without requiring an immediate upgrade.
Zildjian Planet Z Complete Cymbal Set
- The Zildjian Planet Z Complete Pack is a superb entry level cymbal pack...
- This box set of Planet Z cymbals include the standard sizes in one...
- The cymbals are in a traditional bright finish and produce cutting bright...
The Zildjian Planet Z Complete Cymbal Set represents the iconic company’s entry-level offering designed specifically for drummers beginning their musical journey. Typically including 14″ hi-hats, a 16″ crash, and a 20″ ride, this brass cymbal package delivers predictable, controlled sounds at an accessible price point.
Upon first strike, these cymbals immediately reveal their distinct character. Made from brass rather than the bronze alloys found in professional cymbals, the Planet Z delivers bright, cutting tones with notably controlled sustain. This controlled decay actually serves beginners well, as it allows for clearer articulation and helps developing drummers hear exactly what they’re playing without excessive wash muddying their performance.
The hi-hats produce tight, focused sounds when closed and provide reasonable definition for basic patterns. While lacking the nuance of higher-end models, they perform adequately for fundamental techniques. The crash delivers immediate brightness with limited complexity, suitable for simple accents but lacking the rich overtones more experienced drummers might desire. The ride offers decent stick definition with a pronounced bell that cuts through in practice settings.
What’s impressive is that despite their budget positioning, these cymbals undergo similar manufacturing processes as other Zildjian products at their Massachusetts factory, including hammering and lathing that gives them a more musical quality than completely untreated brass cymbals.
However, limitations become apparent with extended use. The tonal palette is restricted, with a somewhat metallic quality that more discerning ears will notice. Durability concerns also arise with more aggressive playing styles.
For absolute beginners or drummers needing extremely budget-friendly practice cymbals, the Planet Z set provides functional tools to develop basic techniques. However, intermediate players will likely find themselves wanting an upgrade to bronze cymbals fairly quickly to access greater warmth, complexity, and dynamic range.
Conclusion
Choosing the best cymbals involves understanding the various types, such as ride cymbals, crash cymbals, and hi-hats, as well as the materials used, including bronze and brass. For beginner drummers, it is advisable to consider affordable cymbal packs like the Zildjian Planet Z or Sabian SBR. These cymbal packs offer a quality sound without breaking the bank, catering to personal preferences and different musical styles. It’s important to select cymbals that align with your playing style and the type of music you enjoy. Additionally, exploring budget cymbals can help you achieve a good sound without overspending.