No doubt, music is quite an expensive hobby, and among dozens of musical occupations drumming is the most expensive one. Its material side includes choosing and buying different things – from such uncostly things like drumsticks and earplugs till drum sets and special drum thrones. Of course all the gadgets are very and very diverse and individual and choosing the right stuff can form half of the drummers sound. But in this article I’d like to speak the most individual, the most expensive and the most forming issue in drumming industry – cymbals.

Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. Watch this video - it's really very interesting -  [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyynDsMhb7g[/video] The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a definite. Cymbals are used in many ensembles ranging from the orchestra, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands, and marching groups. Drum kits usually incorporate at least one suspended cymbal and a pair of hi-hat cymbals. (As for me I use 3 suspended cymbals and a pair of hi-hat (HH) cymbals). 

 The word cymbal is derived from the Latin ‘cymbalum’, which itself derives from the Greek word ‘kumbalom’, meaning a small bowl. By the way guys, I understand that all that may seem a bit boring and unfamiliar to you, despite that I’d like you to read a few words ‘bout the anatomy of cymbals, in order to understand what are they.

The anatomy of the cymbal plays a large part in the sound it creates. The hole is drilled in the center of the cymbal and it is used to either mount the cymbal on a stand or straps (for hand playing). The bell, dome, or cup is the raised section immediately surrounding the hole. The bell produces a higher "pinging" pitch than the rest of the cymbal. The bow is the rest of the surface surrounding the bell. The bow is sometimes described in two areas: the ride and crash area. The ride area is the thicker section closer to the bell while the crash area is the thinner tapering section near the edge. The edge or rim is the immediate circumference of the cymbal.

Cymbals are measured by their diameter often in inches or centimeters. The size of the cymbal affects its sound, larger cymbals usually being louder and having longer sustain (the period of time during which the sound remains before it becomes inaudible or silent). The weight describes how thick the cymbal is. Cymbal weights are important to the sound they produce and how they play. Heavier cymbals have a louder volume; more cut, and better stick articulation (when using drum sticks). Thin cymbals have a fuller sound and faster response

Cymbals differ not only by their diameter and thickness \ thinness – they can be divided in many ways – by type (there are lots of them – crashes, rides, hi-hats, chinas, splashes etc.), by lines (there are special lines for professionals, semiprofessionals, advanced and beginning musicians; cymbals also differ according to the style of music you want to lay on it – will it be jazz or heavy metal) and of course by the manufacturer.

So well, all these factors make cymbals a very individual and captivating, but a very pricy instrument. And here comes the question – how much can a man pay to sound in a proper way? Of course there are as usual two extremities – there are drummers who don’t care about how they sound and use the cheapest cymbals(about $50 for a cymbal) and maniacs who believe that a good stuff is more than a half of success(their plates of copper may cost until as much as $800-900 for one.) As for me I prefer American cymbals by the Zildjian Avedis Company(it the most influential manufacturer in the world since1623) – my crash cost me ‘bout $200, ride - $350, HH – bout $400 and my splash by MEINL Co.(it’s a a German brand) – bout $120  - it’s approximately half of all my investments in all my stuff. 

So here comes a whole cloud of questions – is good sound based on good hands ore on good stuff? What must do a genius drummer when he’s too poor to buy any good stuff? Is there any psychological moment in all that? (I mean may expensive cymbals sound not better than the cheap ones, but it seems that they sound better ‘cause of their high price?) Do you have any hobbies on which you can spend pots of money?