Hitting the cymbals on the bottom?

[drummer girl09]

I'm sure a lot of y'all have watched Buddy Rich videos. He, and other players in his time tend to hit the bottom part of their cymbal and even hi-hat when they really into the solos I guess you could say. Any reason for that? I kind of tried doing it, but it seems to be an awkward angle to do that. Any info on this or anything for a reason of doing that? Thanks.

[DrummerDavid]

I think its just to get different sounds and also its a little showmanship?

I am just guessing...

[Wavelength]

It's all about showmanship.

[larryace]

I agree, I think he does it because he's trying to look cool.

[SEVNT7]

Buddy does not have to TRY to look cool. Yes I agree w/ Wave. But it's also fun. What's wrong w/ having fun while you play.

[mrchattr]

You can use this technique very effectively to get multiple quick hits on one cymbal (top and bottom). There's another, older thread about this where some of us who use the technique talk about it.

[sticky.widget]

I saw a guy play years ago in a rock band who as a break would come up almost all in one motion, give a crash cymbal kind of like a glancing blow from the bottom with his right hand, and then almost immediately choke it with his left before it ever really opened up, while accenting with the kick as it choked.

Ended up sounding like....whooooooosh/THUMP. A Killer accent that I've never quite been able to replicate, but he had to learn it somewhere. Been hunting for a vid of it but haven't had any luck.....if somebody knows what I'm talking about and has seen one, point me there!

Cheers!

[drummer girl09]

You can use this technique very effectively to get multiple quick hits on one cymbal (top and bottom). There's another, older thread about this where some of us who use the technique talk about it.


Really? It would seem that hitting the cymbal at the same time, opposite directions, would ruin the sound. It would just clash together maybe. When I tried it atleast it did. But I will look for that thread. Thanks y'all for the replies.

[Cymbalrider]

this cymbal thing, the stick click, and the one handed roll were things on which that no one really has figured out Buddy's technique. I can sort of do the stick trick, which makes for a great addition to any solo. However, his trick with the cymbals has confused me as well. It's all about the height and angle you get those cymbals and timing. You have to make sure that the upstroke corresponds with the angle the cymbal will be at as it recovers from the downstroke, otherwise it does sort of cancel the sound. The cymbals have to be swinging free and also cannot be too angled. I wish I could do his crossovers on the toms as well as the ever amazing hi-hat thing though.

[mrchattr]

Really? It would seem that hitting the cymbal at the same time, opposite directions, would ruin the sound. It would just clash together maybe. When I tried it atleast it did. But I will look for that thread. Thanks y'all for the replies.

Yeah, you have to time it right. One thing that I have used on occasion is that I will stack an inverted splash on top of a crash (like a 10" on top of a 15"), and then use the technique to hit the bottom of the crash, the top of the splash (since it's inverted), then come back down and hit the bottom of the splash and the top of the crash. You can get four quick 16th note crashes this way if you do it right.

[SEVNT7]

this cymbal thing, the stick click, and the one handed roll were things on which that no one really has figured out Buddy's technique. I can sort of do the stick trick, which makes for a great addition to any solo. However, his trick with the cymbals has confused me as well. It's all about the height and angle you get those cymbals and timing. You have to make sure that the upstroke corresponds with the angle the cymbal will be at as it recovers from the downstroke, otherwise it does sort of cancel the sound. The cymbals have to be swinging free and also cannot be too angled. I wish I could do his crossovers on the toms as well as the ever amazing hi-hat thing though.
Here are some examples. I hope they help (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jvZhwNcuREQ)
(http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HVCBur3PS24) Later..T

[diosdude]

Here's a little something i'll share with you guys. Play very close attention to all of the angles on buddy's kit, the snare-tom angle and the angle of his cymbals. That's how he did some of the amazing crossover stuff. His snare and rack tom are tilted inward toward each other, his cymbals are usually all on a flat plane, parallel to the ground. If you want to play like buddy, i'd emulate his setup exactly, and use the same trad grip. Try seeing the kit through his eyes. There's no way i could do some of his crossovers using my matched grip and my radically differently angled kit, i'm not even going to try it =P

[drummer girl09]

Yeah, you have to time it right. One thing that I have used on occasion is that I will stack an inverted splash on top of a crash (like a 10" on top of a 15"), and then use the technique to hit the bottom of the crash, the top of the splash (since it's inverted), then come back down and hit the bottom of the splash and the top of the crash. You can get four quick 16th note crashes this way if you do it right.


Kinda off topic, but do you have to have some thing extra to have the splash upside down with the crash? I always wondered how you are supposed to do that. Then you mentioned it. But I do get what you are saying. Good idea, but I don't have a splash.





Here's a little something i'll share with you guys. Play very close attention to all of the angles on buddy's kit, the snare-tom angle and the angle of his cymbals. That's how he did some of the amazing crossover stuff. His snare and rack tom are tilted inward toward each other, his cymbals are usually all on a flat plane, parallel to the ground. If you want to play like buddy, i'd emulate his setup exactly, and use the same trad grip. Try seeing the kit through his eyes. There's no way i could do some of his crossovers using my matched grip and my radically differently angled kit, i'm not even going to try it =P


You have a point. The angle of the cymbals, I thought maybe that was the old school way of doing it. Gene Krupa had the same type of angle I think.

[Wavelength]

Kinda off topic, but do you have to have some thing extra to have the splash upside down with the crash?

Just an additional felt circle between the cymbals.

[drummer girl09]

Just an additional felt circle between the cymbals.



Well that's really handy. Nothing to bother with! Thanks Wavelength.

[Ekim]

The first time I saw this technique it was Dennis Chambers in clinic. I was stunned. Not only that he did something that cool, but how smooth it was. It was quick but fluid and just too cool for words.

Of course, that pretty much describes everything Dennis Chambers does.