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Step 4Avoiding Cracks
Rather than having to deal with one of the methods listed above, its better to take the preventative route and do what you can to avoid cracking your cymbal in the first place. Following a few simple tips can greatly reduce the chance of you cracking a cymbal.
Always use felts and sleeves:
It is never adviseable to use a cymbal without properly cushioning it at the bell. You can never use too many felts, and it is definitely worth shelling out the few dollars it costs to picking up a few of these. Just as important is using the plastic sleeves to keep the inner edge of the cymbal from making direct contact with the metal of the stand. A common type of cracking, known as keyholing, occurs when plastic sleeves are not used and small cracks appear while the hole begins to lose its perfectly round shape. Also, cymbal springs like these allow the cymbal to vibrate without applying too much tension.
Clean and Polish:
Cleaning your cymbals keeps the surface from degrading. The oil from your hands easily rubs off onto your cymbal, and overtime your cymbals can rust. This not only effects the sound of your cymbals, but it can increase the likelihood of a crack happening. You can read more about cleaning your cymbals on this instructable.
Know How To Hit:
The best way to avoid cracking your cymbals is to know how to strike them. There are a lot of factors here. If you are a heavy hitter, buy heavier cymbals. It just isnt too smart to buy thin crashes if you play metal. Stick choice is important too. If you're using 2Bs or something thicker, be more careful when you hit a thin or light cymbal.
Most importantly, however, is your stroke. When hitting a cymbal, you dont want to strike the edge straight on, but you dont want to hit it right on the bow either. It is best to try to strike with a glancing motion, moving your arm slightly to the left or right during your stroke. This will help you avoid cracks and should produce a more articulated sound.
Always use felts and sleeves:
It is never adviseable to use a cymbal without properly cushioning it at the bell. You can never use too many felts, and it is definitely worth shelling out the few dollars it costs to picking up a few of these. Just as important is using the plastic sleeves to keep the inner edge of the cymbal from making direct contact with the metal of the stand. A common type of cracking, known as keyholing, occurs when plastic sleeves are not used and small cracks appear while the hole begins to lose its perfectly round shape. Also, cymbal springs like these allow the cymbal to vibrate without applying too much tension.
Clean and Polish:
Cleaning your cymbals keeps the surface from degrading. The oil from your hands easily rubs off onto your cymbal, and overtime your cymbals can rust. This not only effects the sound of your cymbals, but it can increase the likelihood of a crack happening. You can read more about cleaning your cymbals on this instructable.
Know How To Hit:
The best way to avoid cracking your cymbals is to know how to strike them. There are a lot of factors here. If you are a heavy hitter, buy heavier cymbals. It just isnt too smart to buy thin crashes if you play metal. Stick choice is important too. If you're using 2Bs or something thicker, be more careful when you hit a thin or light cymbal.
Most importantly, however, is your stroke. When hitting a cymbal, you dont want to strike the edge straight on, but you dont want to hit it right on the bow either. It is best to try to strike with a glancing motion, moving your arm slightly to the left or right during your stroke. This will help you avoid cracks and should produce a more articulated sound.
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