How to Play a Brush Scrape on a Cymbal

Drummers use a lot of different techniques to get the most out of their set. One such technique is the brush scrape, where hard metal parts create a vibrant sound on a cymbal. Here's how to do the brush scrape on a cymbal to get one more sound into your drum lexicon.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Hold the brushes in your left and right hands. You can use the loose wire ends of brushes on your toms and snare to get a softer sound.
2. Turn your right hand brush around so that you are looking at the round metal piece that you use to expand and contract your brushes into the rubber housing. You'll be using this "opposite end" of your brush for the brush scrape.
3. Pick your cymbal. You should know which of the cymbals in your kit is best for brush scrapes. Generally, it should be a larger cymbal and one that has some texture to its face, some "ribs" or grooves so that the brush scrape gets some sound going.
4. Hit the cymbal lightly. Be sure to strike the cymbal in close to the center.
5. Keep your pressure on the face of the cymbal and drag the brush end steadily toward the edge of the cymbal until you eventually drop off the edge. You'll hear the signature sound of the brush scrape, a drawn-out sound like a gong.