Cymbals Direct

Spring is in the air, with soft breezes and an almost instantaneous need to be outside, enjoying the newness of the season. For many students, spring signals a time to combine both music and the hope of new beginnings, and this is no better illustrated than when a marching band resumes its formations in the great outdoors. Students in an orchestra are not immune to the changes that spring brings about. Preparing for competitions and spring concerts can introduce new music that personifies the lightness and hope of the season.

For those in a school band or orchestra, perhaps the best harbinger of spring is the crash of the cymbals. While the other instruments in a band or orchestra entertain or connect with the audience on an emotional level, the accent brought about by the cymbals can be thought of as the apex of any concert or performance. Because of the demands put on these instruments through storage and transport, and through the use of cymbals throughout different years of school-based music education, the importance of quality band and orchestra cymbals cannot be overlooked. Trusting well-known brands with the right amount of expertise in these instruments can be well worth the investment, increasing the life of the cymbals while also delivering an unsurpassed tonal experience.

With all of the different brands and cymbals available, it can be a difficult process to choose which cymbal is right for the band, orchestra, student or even the school. Sabian's affordable B8 Series Band Pair Cymbals are priced for school budgets without compromising sound or construction quality. For the right punch during an orchestra performance, the 14" HHX Banda Turca by Sabian cuts through the music with precision, and the top-end Artisan Traditional Symphonic Cymbals are the ultimate in sound, quality and style. Perfect for use in both band and orchestra performances, these cymbals are the ultimate in percussion punctuation.



While the school season begins to wind down and spring brings a sense of renewal, band and orchestra students are gearing up and resuming a love of music that will benefit them for years to come. Even if no instrument can be considered the most important within these ensembles, it cannot be denied that the cymbals have a definite way of marking the most important moments in the music.

Labels: Band Cymbals, Orchestra Cymbals, Sabian Cymbals

Drumming is more than just keeping a steady beat and rhythm for the benefit of the other instruments and musicians in a band, drumming is able to elicit an emotional response to the music, much in the same manner as a guitar, bass, piano or any other instrument. It is this subtle ability of drumming to both motivate and draw attention to important phrases in the music, lyrics or punctuate the end of a song that is often overlooked. Without the use of drums within a song, the overall tone flounders, lacking style, drive and sentiment.

The “cymbal choking technique” that is used within all genres of music, from rock to R&B, jazz, metal or country is one method a drummer has to encourage the attention and response required to truly connect the audience with the music being played. In terms of execution, cymbal choking is perhaps one of the easiest cymbal techniques to learn. By hitting a crash cymbal and quickly grabbing it with the hand, the sound produced is loud and vibrant, yet quickly decays, producing an accent that highlights the various instruments or vocals in the song. This technique works well in all styles of music, and at all tempos, resulting in an incredible rhythmic experience that will have the audience and listeners trying to “air drum” the same punctuated rhythm.

The best way to create a memorable experience for the audience is through an emotional connection to the music being played. Rhythm and drumming are a large part of this connection, connecting tempo to the heart, and drawing attention to the most important parts of the song, overall. By utilizing the “cymbal choking technique,” the song being played is not only enhanced on a musical level, but also forces the listener to appreciate the sentiment behind the song.

Labels: Cymbals Tips, Performance, Tips for Drummers

With little biographical information available, the stereotypical mystery of a drummer is alive and well in Rich Beddoe, one of the members of Canada’s alternative rock icons, Finger Eleven. For fans of the genre, Finger Eleven brings its fans a look into the longevity of a band that was originally formed when it’s members were in high school. Today, with five released albums and a Juno Award for Rock Album of the year in 2008, Finger Eleven and drummer, Rich Beddoe, are proving that success in the music industry can be a result of great songs, hot rhythms and the friendships formed through a love of music.

With just a glance at Beddoe’s drum set, the very nature of his drumming is evident. With nine Sabian cymbals, including the Sabian APX line, Beddoe clearly delights in the nuances of sound and tone that a variety of cymbals can create. Using five crash cymbals, the poplarity of Finger Eleven songs like “The Last Scene of Struggling,” “I'll Keep Your Memory Vague,” and perhaps the best-known song, “Paralyzer,” are just a sample of this musician’s ability to create a connection between the vibe of a song and the rhythm that pushes it toward excellence.



As a drummer, Beddoe has brought his own style and flair into the genre of alternative rock. From his first performance with Rainbow Butt Monkeys in high school, to the evolution of a young band into rock stars, the sky is the limit for Rich Beddoe.

Labels: Artists, Sabian Cymbals

There is little worse than sitting down at a drum set, ready to rock, and noticing a crack, chip or break in a crash, hi-hat, splash or other cymbal. It’s not uncommon for cymbals to become damaged through normal use, storage or transportation, but the resulting disappointment a drummer endures can be the hardest part of moving beyond a broken cymbal. Because of the process a drummer goes through in order to find the right cymbal to produce a personal sound, these instruments can become especially valuable. While many cymbals can be repaired by a professional, it is best to try to maintain the cymbal’s inherent beauty and quality through preventative measures.

Hitting a cymbal with a lot of force, like hard rock, metal or punk drummers do can take a toll on the cymbal, especially if the cymbal is thin. A crash cymbal, for instance, comes in a variety of weights and thicknesses, each with its own resonance and volume. Thin cymbals may produce a louder tone overall, but the thicker varieties can certainly make up the difference in volume with the overall acoustics, and save a drummer from a sad break-up with a beloved member of a carefully chosen drum kit. The angle in which a cymbal is hit can also affect its durability, and it is recommended that drummers hit at an angle, instead of directly on the top of the cymbal. The placement of the cymbal can also affect its durability, as well as the padding chosen to hold the cymbal in place. If the metal of the cymbal touches the stand or hardware used, there is a better chance of breakage. Be sure to use the right padding and felt for the cymbal to help reduce wear and tear.

Storage of the cymbals is just as important as cymbal choice, set up and even playing style. While cymbals are durable and resistant to most weather changes, changes in temperature can have an effect on the alloy used. Improper handling can also cause nicks or scratches on the cymbals. Store and transport cymbals in cases or bags to help protect them from the elements and rough treatment. Be sure to keep cymbals clean and free of dirt and debris, as these can also wear away the protective finish needed to keep cymbals in top shape.


Caring for cymbals and choosing the right type of cymbal can assure a drummer of the longevity of a favorite sound and resonance during solos and fills. By taking the right steps in choosing, playing and caring for cymbals, these instruments can last a long time, bringing joy to the drummer and audiences at a local gig or around the world.

Labels: Cymbal Care, Cymbal Cracks, Cymbals Tips

Def Leppard may be best known for its songs like, “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” or “Hysteria,” but this hard rock band has one thing that relatively few other bands can claim: a drummer who personally knows the value of drumming as therapy.

As the result of a street racing accident in 1984, Def Leppard drummer, Rick Allen, underwent the amputation of his left arm, a devastating injury that would have left most drummers without a means to pursue the passion for rhythm. With the help of Pearl Drums, a special drum set was developed for Allen, enabling him to play the snare with a foot pedal while still drumming away on the toms and cymbals. Since then, Allen has incorporated electronic drums into his performances, using samples of his acoustic drumming throughout the music, easily accessible through the pads of the hybrid drum sets he uses. These drum sets also include Zildjian cymbals, in addition to a custom-designed floor rig used to produce the sounds of his favorite drums and hi-hat sounds.

Despite the odds, Allen has been noted as one of the greatest drummers in rock and roll, and has attributed much of his own healing to the drums he plays. While often discussed among the fans of hand drums, the therapeutic benefits of drumming are not limited solely to drum circles and music therapists. Allen formed a partnership in 2009 with the Wounded Warrior Project, bringing not only inspiration to veterans, but a healing experience through the power of drums and rhythm.



Throughout his career, Allen has stood for the strength of spirit within a person. As a professional drummer, Allen’s talent is untouchable. When that talent is paired with a desire to help heal others, there can be no doubt that the healing benefits of drumming come directly from the heart of the drummers themselves.

Labels: Artists, Zildjian Cymbals

NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) never fails to provide an annual look into the best products and talents available throughout the world of music. For those lucky enough to attend a NAMM event, lives are changed forever, especially when it comes to  experiencing some of the greatest talent the industry has to offer… not to mention the sneak peeks at all the new instrumental goods a musician could ask for. As the sponsor of “the largest and longest-running musical instruments and products trade show in the United States,” NAMM has given the world of music a fun, free and educational way to connect musicians, artist and fans together for one amazing jam session. This year, the NAMM show was no different, and with footage continuing to pop up on YouTube and other websites, the amazing acts, instruments and gear continue to provide a fantasy land of wonder for professional and amateur musicians, alike.

The Sabian Live Event is always an important part of NAMM’s annual show. This year, the talented Virgil Donati was showcased, performing with the equally amazing Allan Holdsworth, Jimmy Haslip and Dennis Hamm. Tony Roster, Jr., was said to have showed off his Sabian cymbals painfully well, rousing the audience into a frenzy and wreaking percussion havoc in his own unique way. Then, of course, there was Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian, Billy Sheehan and Tony MacAlpine teaming up on behalf of Sabian cymbals, giving the audience an unforgettable show that is possibly still thumping against ear drums today.



Because of organizations like NAMM and its annual event that benefits the music industry on both intimate and expansive levels, the ability to collaborate, network and learn among music professionals and amateurs continues to grow. Whether as a fan, customer, performer, teacher or business, NAMM 2012 has made its mark on the world of music, becoming a springboard for the next generations of sound, rhythm and style.

Labels: NAMM, Sabian Cymbals

Blake Fleming is a man who knows drums, and the rhythm and style it takes to create a new voice in drumming. His drum interest began at the young age of eight, leading him to several years of performance within orchestras, bagpipe bands and other experiences that led him straight into the world of experimental music. Known today as the drummer of Future by Now a New York-based experimental band that also features Andris Balins, Fleming is a prominent name in progressive, post-punk, math and experimental rock today and can be found teaching at State University of New York.

Perhaps Fleming’s best known work is as the original drummer for The Mars Volta, a Grammy Award-winning band from El Paso, Texas. His off-and-on five-year tenure with TMV led Fleming to a freelance drumming career, as well as a college-level teaching gig that inspires students and gives them a unique look into the world of drumming, rhythm and percussion.



When it comes to a truly unique sound that can keep up with the rigors of experimental rock and other alternative genres of music, cymbals play a vital role in the overall tone and experience of drumming, for both the drummer and audience. Fleming’s drum kit relays this same feeling though its Meinl cymbals that include the Byzance Dark Hi Hat, Byzance Traditional Medium Thin Crash, Byzance Dark Spectrum Ride, Generation X Electro Stacks Effect and Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Ride.  

Labels: Artists, Meinl Cymbals