Thursday, January 19, 2012

How To Keep Your Cymbals In A Good Condition

By Josh Tipler


You may feel that the items on a drum kit are designed to take abuse. However this is not the case. It is important to look after your drum kit and part of this is knowing how to care for your cymbals and keeping them in the best condition.

The first thing to consider is how to play on them. It is not just about smashing sticks against metal. Harsh treatment will often result in damage and this in turn will affect the sound of the instrument.

As well as the look of an instrument excessive force can also damage it in other ways. It can change the sound of the drum kit. Therefore it is important to look at video demonstrations on the internet to see how to use the instrument properly.

Cleaning is another important aspect. Before playing hand washing is vital as natural oils in the skin can often damage an instrument. Finger print marks often look unattractive and should be cleaned off. Avoid using furniture polish as this is not designed to clean instruments and may cause more damage. Instructions from the instrument manufacturer should be able to recommend the right type of cleaner.

As well as cleaning it is important that they are looked after while being transported. You should avoid resting them along the edge unless the bag has dividers. The bag itself should be solid enough to support the cymbals and help prevent any damage. A lot of instruments come with bags when you purchase them. However it may be better to invest in a specialist transport bag in order to make sure they are protected as much as possible. As with a lot of products it is worth looking online to compare the different brands available.

A good storage bag can also help to keep them in the best possible condition. They should not be rested on the edge unless you have dividers within the storage bag. Some come with storage bags when you buy them. However for the best protection you should invest in a specialist bag. When using public transport or getting ride in a car you should make sure nothing is laid on top of the bag. You should do what you can to avoid any unnecessary pressure on them.

In short the best way to learn how to care for your cymbals is to make sure you keep them clean and do not put any unnecessary pressure. If someone is borrowing them or someone else is setting them up make sure they are aware of the right way to look after them. With the right approach you will keep your cymbals in the best condition.




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