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Thread: Cymbal Angle

  1. #1

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    Hello fellow drummers! I'm not really new here but this is my first ever post. Great forum and thanks for letting me be part of it.

    Just was wondering if anyone has noticed the trend of angling cymbals outward, away from the player. Does anyone here play your cymbals using this sort of angle?

    Was wondering if there are any advantages to it or in general, just WHY? I've only ever seen cymbals flat with no angle or angled toward the player.

    Here's a video of one of my favorite drummers (Will Kennedy) and I know for a fact that he didn't always angle his cymbals this way. I wonder what made him decide to change.

    ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGZAEOxk0FE


    Thanks for any insight!

  2. #2

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  3. #3

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    I think it is a matter of preference. I have always played with cymbals angled down towards me not sure what degree.

  4. #4

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    If they were set that way on purpose, then he's stupid.

    If they were set that way by accident, then he's stupid for playing with them set that way.

    Can't say he didn't notice, it is kind of obvious.
    YOU MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

    YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU DON'T KNOW.

    VAE VICTIS

    ONCE YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU BECOME PERMANENTLY UNIMPRESSED BY A LOT OF CRAP.

    I HIT THAT AGE 20 YEARS AGO.

    IF DOGS CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY GO

    WILL ROGERS

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pearl MCX Man View Post
    I think it is a matter of preference. I have always played with cymbals angled down towards me not sure what degree.

    My ride is tilted towards me a little bit. All my crash cymbals are flat.

    I saw a drummer in NYC who had his cymbals at almost a 90 degree angle from the perpendicular. I thought he was trying to hide behind them.
    YOU MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

    YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU DON'T KNOW.

    VAE VICTIS

    ONCE YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU BECOME PERMANENTLY UNIMPRESSED BY A LOT OF CRAP.

    I HIT THAT AGE 20 YEARS AGO.

    IF DOGS CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY GO

    WILL ROGERS

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    My ride is tilted towards me a little bit. All my crash cymbals are flat.

    I saw a drummer in NYC who had his cymbals at almost a 90 degree angle from the perpendicular. I thought he was trying to hide behind them.
    I've sen photo's of old be bop drummers with the cymbals like that.

    all the best...

  7. #7

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    Interesting...
    I guarantee there’s a reason he has them adjusted that way. Maybe it’s a projection thing. I’m guessing it’s so he can set them as low as he does, almost on the same plane as the drum heads, and still get the proper strike on the edge. If you think about it, it makes sense.
    His FT placement is also unique.
    The FIRST thing I noticed was how stiff and rigid his wrists and sticks are. Almost like his sticks are an extension of his arms. He also holds the open side of his palms inward...which is exactly the same grip I use.

    I’d say he’s done well doing it his way. There really isn’t any rules. If it sounds good, it is good!
    -Brian

    "Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"

    Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!

    "I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham

  8. #8

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    He reminds me of a slightly subdued Sunny Murray.
    YOU MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

    YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU DON'T KNOW.

    VAE VICTIS

    ONCE YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU BECOME PERMANENTLY UNIMPRESSED BY A LOT OF CRAP.

    I HIT THAT AGE 20 YEARS AGO.

    IF DOGS CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY GO

    WILL ROGERS

  9. #9

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    Chris Coleman talked about his cymbals being angled away from him.
    He basically said since he's a heavier hitter by tilting them away when he plays it continuously the cymbal will be at the correct angle.
    If you keep hitting a cymbal tilted down it just tilts further down and away and un-playable.
    So by tilting away, when he continuously hits it it's flatter

    Hope that makes sense
    Last edited by SpazApproved; 05-02-2018 at 10:28 AM.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by SpazApproved View Post
    Chris Coleman talked about his cymbals being angled away from him.
    He basically said since he's a heavier hitter by tilting them away when he plays it continuously the cymbal will be at the correct angle.
    If you keep hitting a cymbal tilted down it just tilts further down and away and un-playable.
    So by tilting away, when he continuously hits it it's flatter

    Hope that makes sense
    That actually makes sense but it would take some getting used to. Thanks!

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    My ride is tilted towards me a little bit. All my crash cymbals are flat.
    Mine too.
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  12. #12

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    I could see that being useful for an 'up swing', where you are hitting the under side of a cymbal.

  13. #13

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    That tilted away angle is fine I guess if you mostly, or always, want to strike the crash on it's edge, which is to say pretty full on CRASH mode. But I mostly like to hit a crash midway on the bow with the shoulder of the stick for a clear cutting attack with cleaner, less muddy sustain. Of course I use full on edge crashes too, but don't want to make the other options less accessible.
    Will Kennedy is a fantastic player and I'm sure he keeps all his strike angle options open so the "reverse" angle cymbals must somehow suit his grip and stick handling technique.
    LOVE the Yellowjackets!

  14. #14

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    Mine are flat and getting really low. As of now they're the lowest they've ever been and i like it.

    My left crash has a little tilt but everything else is pretty level.

    Something to think about with the more moderate to extreme tilting is the risk of starting a key hole.

    Have good sleeves on the stands if you like the big tilt.
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  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by slinky View Post
    Mine are flat and getting really low. As of now they're the lowest they've ever been and i like it.

    My left crash has a little tilt but everything else is pretty level.

    Something to think about with the more moderate to extreme tilting is the risk of starting a key hole.

    Have good sleeves on the stands if you like the big tilt.
    That’s something that made me cringe every time I saw nicko mcbrain’s ride
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  16. #16

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    Yeah I remember that.... like flat. His tom toms were the same way..
    RDM/Damage Poets
    UFiP TAMAHA Zildjian
    REGAL TiP
    AQUARIAN

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by slinky View Post
    Mine are flat and getting really low. As of now they're the lowest they've ever been and i like it.

    My left crash has a little tilt but everything else is pretty level.

    Something to think about with the more moderate to extreme tilting is the risk of starting a key hole.

    Have good sleeves on the stands if you like the big tilt.
    Yeah, mine have gotten lower and flatter over the years too. And yes....good sleeves are a must have.

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by inthpktplayer View Post
    Yeah, mine have gotten lower and flatter over the years too. And yes....good sleeves are a must have.
    Same here. Sometimes when I play my Yamaha it feels weird cause those are still up high and angled vs my PDP which is low and flat.

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by SpazApproved View Post
    Same here. Sometimes when I play my Yamaha it feels weird cause those are still up high and angled vs my PDP which is low and flat.
    Here's a thought: Why not make them both the same?
    YOU MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

    YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU DON'T KNOW.

    VAE VICTIS

    ONCE YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU BECOME PERMANENTLY UNIMPRESSED BY A LOT OF CRAP.

    I HIT THAT AGE 20 YEARS AGO.

    IF DOGS CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY GO

    WILL ROGERS

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    Here's a thought: Why not make them both the same?
    Yeah, why are they different?
    SONOR 6 pc Special Edition 3007's red maple, old Pearl Brass 14x6 FF snare, Yamaha Tour Custom maple 8 pc., Tama 4 pc., honey amber B/B, Ludwig Supralite chrome 14x6.5 steel snare, Paiste, Saluda & Zildjian
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  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by slinglander View Post
    Yeah, why are they different?
    Because stupidity is not good at matching things up.
    YOU MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.

    YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVIL YOU DON'T KNOW.

    VAE VICTIS

    ONCE YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE, YOU BECOME PERMANENTLY UNIMPRESSED BY A LOT OF CRAP.

    I HIT THAT AGE 20 YEARS AGO.

    IF DOGS CAN'T GO TO HEAVEN, I WANT TO GO WHERE THEY GO

    WILL ROGERS

  22. #22

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    I’m assuming he just hasn’t had the time to adjust them yet.
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  23. #23

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    Some things in drumming are just evolution. I'm sure that old timers like me, esp if you've been playing for 40 or more years, have probably experimented with every config and angle possible. My current thing is angled and medium low cymbals, mostly in my quest for the jazzy touch.

    all the best...

  24. #24

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    I'm not sure it's a trend so much but more something I've noticed a slight increase in prominence. Anika Nilles is another good example of this kind of setup who seems to know her way around a drum kit.
    PDP | Black Panther | Sabian |

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