How to Play Cymbals With Rods

A well-stocked drummer has a lot of options for play on different parts of the drum set. For cymbals, different types of drumming equipment produces good variations of sound, from sharp, quick "tap" sounds to louder, more drawn-out "wash" or "scrape" sounds. One of your drumming tools is the rod; here's how to use the rod to get various sounds on cymbals.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Hit head-on. Using the rod in the traditional sense involves hitting the top of the cymbal with the wooden tip of the rod. This can give you a sharper, consonant sound, brassier or lower depending on whether you hit the middle or plateau of the cymbal.

2. Approach the cymbal with the rubber side. Your rods have rubber pieces surrounding segments of their sides: hitting the cymbal edge with the rubber produces a muted sound that you can use in some compositions.

3. Tap the cymbal with the butt of the rod. Giving cymbal hits with this piece of plastic will get you yet another sound; practice hitting the dome area of the cymbal to get a sound that differs from the traditional wood tap.

4. Scrape the cymbal with the butt or tip of the rod. You can use either end of the rod, drawing it across the cymbal, to get an almost cinematic drum sound you can use in particular kinds of percussion.

5. Try a crescendo attack. For this, you can use any part of the rod to create a longer sound. Start with one arm and alternate hits on the cymbal edge between both arms, adding pressure so that the sound rises to a din before subsiding when you lessen your attack gradually. This advanced cymbal technique can add flavor to your cymbal play.