Crash Cymbals

A crash cymbal is one of those cymbals that really lives up to its name. It’s a highly responsive cymbal used by drummers to interrupt a song phrase or musical composition with the occasional “crash” or accent sound. But how drummers achieve a certain sound is often dictated by how the crash cymbal is played. Drummers can hit their crash cymbals with a wooden drumstick or mallet, gently bang two cymbals together by hand or tap the crash with their finger for a cooler, jazzier sound.

Crashes are available in paper thin, medium or heavy weight designs, with the thinner weight models producing a softer sound, while the heavyweight crashes provide more booming power and projection. How to know which is right for you? Take the “crash” test. Experiment and play around with several styles until you find the ones that give you the sound you want.