How to use Ludwig drum sets with cymbals
Drum sets are typically sets of different sized and shaped drums along with a pair of cymbals. These are called drum kits. Today we also have electronic drum which are simulated ones with plates that can produce different drum sounds when struck.
These can be engineered to produce specific pitch and volume. Major Brands producing drum sets are DW drums, Sonor Drum sets, Tama Drum sets, Pearl, Ronald and of course Ludwig.
Ludwig Drum set with cymbals
Ludwig is an American legend in manufacturing drum kits. The cymbals are an important feature of the drum set.
They are very important as they give texture to the musical sounds. They are able to create a strong accent to the sound, give brightness or lightness to the song.
The use of the cymbals must be in accordance with the style of the music to be given. If the cymbals are used in the correct manner it will greatly enhance the musical effect of the drums.
How to use the cymbals in the Ludwig drum set
The sound produced by the cymbals will differ from cymbal to cymbal depending upon the size, the make and the thickness of the cymbal. The cymbal sizes provided by Ludwig usually range from a 4” bell to a 22” ride and there are other smaller and bigger sizes available too.
The hi-hats and the ride are usually the thick ones while the crash cymbals are comparatively thin. Cymbals must be used according to their heavy, medium, thin or ultra thin nature. A thick cymbal usually gives a heavy resonating sound. A thin cymbal gives a lighter resonation.
Adjusting the cymbals
When using cymbals one must listen to sound qualities such as brilliance, attack, presence or projection. The cymbals must also be adjusted properly to get the different varieties of sounds and to also lengthen the life of the sticks.
The ride cymbal must be hit with the tip or with the shoulder part of the stick. The bell which is the little part at the cymbal center must also be easily reachable.
One cymbal can be at the right side of the drum set and the ride cymbal can be near the hi-hats on the left side.
Angling the crash cymbals of the drum set
The crash cymbals are different and must be used in such a way that they must be struck on their edge with the shoulder of the stick.
The stick gets chewed up quite fast in this manner but this is the only way to get the crash cymbal sound.
They must be easily reachable and must look good to the audience too. Some drummers even hide behind the cymbals. Don’t hit the bow of the crash cymbal in the middle because this might result in the cracking of the expensive cymbal.
