Primary and Secondary Crashes

[jcmuse2089]

Ok this is a concept that I just never got...for some reason. If I am crashing quarter notes on one crash cymbal, then I hit a different crash cymbal every four measure or so, which one is called the primary and which one is called the secondary? And what about size difference between them? Should the one I'm crashing in quarter notes be smaller or larger than the one I'm hitting every few measures? Or does it depend?Thanks, this is probably a stupid question.

[Green_Shoes]

Ok this is a concept that I just never got...for some reason. If I am crashing quarter notes on one crash cymbal, then I hit a different crash cymbal every four measure or so, which one is called the primary and which one is called the secondary? And what about size difference between them? Should the one I'm crashing in quarter notes be smaller or larger than the one I'm hitting every few measures? Or does it depend?Thanks, this is probably a stupid question.

Firstly, not a stupid question as we all have to learn. I personally don't have a primary or secondary crashes, i just had crashes. There are basically no rules, my favourite all-round crashes i use the most are two 17" but also use crashes ranging from 14" to 19" and just play what ever fits with the music. Its all about sound, does that make sense?

[dkerwood]

I tend to call crashes "primary" or "secondary" due to how I ended up playing them. For example, with my "big" setup, I have three crashes across the front, a 17 and 2 18s. Any of these could get the call for your average crash. These I consider my "primary" crashes.

I then have three crashes off to the side- one far to my left by the secondary snare and splash, one directly above and to the right of my ride, and one far to my right by the china and secondary ride. Each of these sees less duty than my primary crashes, but rather are used for specific sounds... not necessarily "effects" as much as "character". My left side crash is more soft, my ride side crash is bright but short and fairly dry, and my right side crash is bright and cutting.

Since you're crash riding, it's hard to say which one would be a "primary" crash. I consider "primary" to be your go to crash any time you want *your* crash sound.

[evolving_machine]

I use a 18" K Custom Session that I think is the primary Crash, which I can also use while riding as well. I also have an old Zildjian that I used to call a Splash, and I think that is what you are all calling the Secondary Crash. I can not ride this 16" Crash cymbal it has too fast of an attack. The newer 18" K has a longer attack so I can ride that one.

[Toby_Jackson]

My "primary" crashes are usually the larger, more full tone crashes on my kit, and I often use smaller, brighter, and faster "secondary" crashes for contrasting or complimentary accents (depends on style). For many, this is reversed, with a bright 16" or 17" crash as the main, and a larger, perhaps darker 18" or 19" backing it up.

I consider "primary" to be your go to crash any time you want *your* crash sound.

And this would be the final word on the subject.

[TheArchitect]

Ok this is a concept that I just never got...for some reason. If I am crashing quarter notes on one crash cymbal, then I hit a different crash cymbal every four measure or so, which one is called the primary and which one is called the secondary? And what about size difference between them? Should the one I'm crashing in quarter notes be smaller or larger than the one I'm hitting every few measures? Or does it depend?Thanks, this is probably a stupid question.

Never heard of primary or secondary crashes. They all serve the same purpose. I prefer a variety of sizes from 15" thru 19". If I use 2 18" for example one will be a thin, the other or medium or one will be a K and the other an Armand for example.

[jcmuse2089]

Green_Shoes, yea i know what you mean

[Ainulindale]

yup, no rules...
you can get different tones from sizes - 14"/16"/18", or you can use the weight of the cymbal - thin/medium/heavy, or the design as well - bright/powerful/dark or any one of a million variations...
no rules, only ideas ;-)

[caddywumpus]

When I started playing with 2 crashes, 16" and 18", I considered the 18" my primary cymbal because I liked to use it to end my phrases. It was like the tonic at the end of a V-I cadence, with the 16" acting as the dominant V leading to it. Or, to put it another way, the 16" was my comma and the 18" was my period (or exclamation point).

[jonescrusher]

Never heard of primary or secondary crashes. They all serve the same purpose. I prefer a variety of sizes from 15" thru 19". If I use 2 18" for example one will be a thin, the other or medium or one will be a K and the other an Armand for example.

Same here, I've never heard of that distinction being made. It should be a part of getting familiar with your set up to place cymbals logically to your style of playing and movement. Choosing which one to hit at a given moment should be on instinct.

[RogerLudwig]

Why worry about primary and secondary? I have a crash on the left and one on the right; I hit the one that is is most "convenient". If I'm playing a descending tom fill that ends on the floor tom, I crash the cymbal on the right, the one over my first floor tom. If I play a fill on the snare and rack tom, I will probably hit the one on the left, the one next to the hats.

Left: 18" thin Armand Zildjian
Right: 16" medium thin Armand Zildjian

[thewill]

i use my 16" to my left to use it off the high hat and off the snare then i have the 18" to the right after going round the kit or to crash it continually during a chorus. i would like to have another one over y floor tom but i am poor.

i would say that my 182 is my primary because that is where i would try and go the 162 is only there for when there is not enough time to go to the 18"

[jcmuse2089]

Alright, Thank You so much for all the replies. I've learned much. :)

[harryconway]

Pretty much watch any "arena"/large drum kit player, and it's fairly easy to spot the primary crashes from the secondary. Guys like Peart, Portnoy, Rockenfeild, etc., reach for their "primary" crashes (upwards of 80-90%) the majority of the time. Usually 2 or 3 crashes directly in front of them. "Secondary crashes", get used less, and are located, usually, to the sides. Obviously, cats who run only 2 or 3 crashes do not display/needn't worry about this so much.

[veggo32]

16" Zildjian A custom crash and 15" Zildian A brilliant crash.
Primary Secondary
to my left b/w hihat and 10" tom to the right of my 12" tom.

I don't use a far right crash (I have a china) because its easy to end fills since I only have one 14" floor tom. The right crash is close and does the job very well. I also have a splash below my left crash beside the hats it allows for some real nice effects.

[kwolf68]

I don't really understand the terminology. Primary v Secondary.

All my cymbals are primary (at times) and all of them are secondary (at times).

I have two 18 inch crashes on my kit

A Zildjian A Custom Projection Crash
A Sabian Hand Hammered Thin Crash

Same size, INCREDIBLY different sounds. I use the A Custom basically for one sound, that bright sustained crash. It's out in front of my kit. The Sabian HH I can do more with that cymbal...mainly a darker cymbal, but I can get bright depending on where and how I strike the cymbal. I also like "riding quarter notes" with this cymbal because of its sound and response.

So would the Sabian be the primary? Because it's used more often for more sounds?

If I had my own personal voacbulary I would suggest secondary cymbals are things like splashes, chinas and efx cymbals. But that's just me.

[autonomos]

I would think of cymbals in terms of their sound, not their name.
For example: if you're looking for a crash to ride on pick one that works for the sound that you want. If you want a bright staccato quarter note cutting sound, that's one type. If you want a big washy wall of sound that blends, that;s another.

[drumguyfromWI]

I consider my 17" AA Fast crash to be my primary crash, as it is the one I usually use for crashes at the end of measures and stuff.

but I also have a 17" AA Medium crash that I consider my secondary crash, because I usually only use it for crash riding during choruses and such.