The Cymbal Law


Designing and arranging your drum set-up is a complicated business. There are many issues at stake, including: ease of play, portability, and an aesthetic sensibility. It's essential that you position your cymbals so that they lay flatter than 38 degrees (see figure 3). The higher the angle of the cymbals, the more egregious The Cymbal Law violation (see figure 4).

Hanging your cymbals at 90 degrees should not be considered an option. You might object, "But... in order to make effective use of my forearm while syncopating on the ride, I need to turn the cymbal at a 65 degree angle!" Regrettably, there are no exceptions to the cymbal law.

It may be tempting to include various percussion instruments in your set-up. A cowbell or gong can provide an exciting variety of sounds and lend an authentic "Rock" appeal to the appearance of your drums. However, the addition of chimes is considered a heinous act.