Using Old Drum Cymbals to Play Music From the Rain

I found a set of cymbals at the thrift store for $10.  Hmmm... Let's see... we could attach them to a doorbell hammer... That would be fun the first two or three times someone rang the bell.  I decided to let the rain dripping off my roof to play a tune on them.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

All you need are:

• A few cymbals
• Threaded rod
• Nuts and washers
• Wrenches
• Bolt cutters

For each cymbal you will want to have a length of threaded rod (cutting with bolt cutters is quick but sloppy on the threads), two washers, and two nuts - perhaps one of those two as a nylock nut.

Step 2: Put It Together

This isn't rocket science.  It isn't even model rocket science.  Just put a nut on the threaded rod, a washer, the cymbal, another washer and the final nut.  I'm embarrassed that you even made me type that all out.  Sheesh.

Step 3: Stick It in the Ground

Now jab the threaded rod into the earth where thick drops of rain are likely to drop.  If you don't have roof gutters this works great.

Comments

[ajleece]

Sounds like they could get reeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllly annoying. =p

[zieak]

Not at all. For the most part I'm not outside hanging out much when It is raining. And you can't really hear them inside. So it's just a nice sound when I come or go in the rain. I think much more soothing than many windchimes!

[ajleece]

Haha, okay. :)

Still, i'd put symbols like that on a kit. =p

[SNACKS]

 Can you hear them at night?

[zieak]

Not where i sleep!

[thefunkychief]

hey man :) amazing idea :) you could try putting the cymballs at angles or loose the nut a little bit to make the sound a more clean sound :) just an idea deffo gonna do this at home :) xx

[kissiltur]

It's weird how that sounds almost Japanese to me. I wonder why?

[quadracer]

Possibly because there are no felts? It is metal on metal contact. Great idea, I wanted to make some sort of drumming wind chime with my extra what nots.

[ANDY!]

 That's sorta like hyped out wind chimes!

[schnitzle]

What a great idea for re-purposing cymbals! Nice job :)

[onrust]

WOW......I just got a total south east AK flash back...........Man, I love Arizona!

[suezq]

Very nice, and sounds way better than garbage can lids! Now on top of all the other odds and ends I need to watch for when thrift store shopping, I have to look for cymbals too ;)

[hintzhamlet]

Kissiltur, don't wonder, it IS rather Japanese.  I lived there for 6 years and I have seen Shrines and Temples that have copper bells (looks like "school bell type, but no clappers) integrated into the chains used instead of downspouts.  Since it rains frequently  in Japan it really creates a bright spot in an otherwise dreary day. 

I love the copper ones, they turn green with the oxidation, looks great with foliage!

I tried to buy them in Japan for use in my home, but they were cost prohibitive!! Even in the US they are $50+ each for steel or brass, not copper!

Further research in instructables showed me rain chain at roof gutter.  Look at rain chains world .com for ideas.

With they cymbals, don't forget to leave a little room for the vibrations to occur = don't clamp down the nuts, it'll stop the vibration and the sustained sounds that cymbals are known for.  Maybe put it in the rain, not at the downspout.  Subtle and surprising are quite beautiful.  And the neighbors won't complain about it.

[zieak]

Good thinking - i'll loosen them up and see if the sound is better!

[8bit]

let us know too! i'm excited to hear what they will sound like! 

[zieak]

I actually didn't notice any difference in the tone.  It could be because the "strike" is relatively soft.

I was considering mounting one upside down on a semi-rigid spring.  it would fill with water slowly - changing the sound of the drips - and then eventually tip, dumping the water and resuming the cycle.

[joemonkey]

sounds like a very cool idea!!! do it!

to bad for me the Texas panhandle is bone dry :(

[Bartboy]

NOOOO!!!!!!
Those cymbals were 10$???
I'd gladly pay 100$.......

[zieak]

I swear that the little thrift store in my town is the best one I have ever been in.  

[Bartboy]

Haha, or the worst one, on their part.