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The cymbal is one of the first percussive instruments that should be added to your drum kit. The round plates are made of metal and produce an indefinite pitch when played. The range of music that can be created with the cymbals is very broad, allowing the musician a choice of ensembles to work with.

The average drum kit uses at least three cymbals: the suspended cymbal and two hi-hat cymbals. Cymbal connoisseurs tend to favor brands like Meinl, Zildjian and Sabian. These cymbal purveyors are likely to start off a beginner's kit right.

A suspended cymbal, one of the important additions to a drum kit, is a horizontal cymbal that creates a "crash." These cymbals should be played with sponge or cord wrapped mallets, and are a favorite among drummers for their sharp notes when struck and spooky notes when played quietly. Drummers use the suspended cymbal to create the tremolo, or drum roll. The suspended cymbal is usually used in tandem with the bass drum, because the instruments combine high and low frequencies loudly.

The hi-hat cymbal is played by striking the foot petal and the foot petal at the same time. Two cymbals are mounted one on top of the other cymbal, with a rod that connects the cymbals to the foot petal. The bottom cymbal never moves, while the foot petal moves the top cymbal, with each press of the petal causing a collision between the two plates. The cymbals are easily adjusted for different heights. Changing the tension of the unit can alter the tone of the hi-hat cymbal.

The build of the cymbal allows for its sound. Both hi-hat and suspended cymbals make use of a mounting center hole. The area around the center hold is called the dome, but is also known as a bell or cup. This section of the cymbal creates a higher pitch when played. The area beyond the dome is called a bow, and is separated into the ride and crash areas. The ride area is the thicker area of the bow, closer to the dome, and it creates a deeper sound than the crash area. The crash area is the thinner edges, and these create a higher pitched sound.

When choosing a cymbal, keep thickness in mind. The wider cymbals are generally more resonant than thin cymbals and produce a more constant sound. These weigh more and can be played easily. Thin cymbals produce fuller sounds and are more responsive than their thicker counterparts.

Crotales, the smallest of the symbols, are based on ancient designs. Cymbals found in Egyptian tombs were much smaller than normal cymbals, and produced a specific note when played. These cymbals are thicker, creating a sound that is much higher than the sound of normal cymbals. The timbre of the crotale is completely different than normal cymbals, sounding similar to hand bells when struck on the side.

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