How to Play a Wash on a Cymbal With Rods

In all of music there is no instrument as diverse and varied as the drums. Drum kits can be as simple as three pieces or monstrously complex. Beyond what pieces you choose for your kit, you can also vary what drumsticks you use and how you strike them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Grip the rods as you would a normal drumstick. That is, grab it just about ¼ of the way up from the bottom. While you won't be striking very hard with the rod, this still ensures that you are getting the most out of your hits.

2. Choose between the French and American styles of stick gripping. Since you are striking the cymbal, which is up high, and not the snare, which is down low, the German style is not very useful. It is recommended to use the French style, as the wash is a graceful hit and it benefits from the hands being closer together.

3. Decide what kind of sound you want from your wash. This will determine what part of the rod you use to strike the cymbal. If you desire a softer sound, strike with the rubber sheath that is binding the smaller dowels together. If you desire a louder sound, strike with the wooden dowels themselves.

4. Begin striking the cymbal's edge with the end of your stick as if you were doing a very quiet drum roll. Contacting the cymbal in the right way is important. If you do it wrong, you won't get the quiet building sound you're after.

5. Raise the sound level by gradually hitting the cymbal harder. This technique usually climaxes when the cymbals reach a normal volume.