Crash Cymbal Selection: Impact and Expression

Crash cymbal selection determines how accents and transitions punctuate drum performances. The explosive impact of crashes marks musical phrases, emphasizes dynamics, and provides emotional emphasis. Understanding how different crash characteristics serve different musical moments enables building a crash selection that provides appropriate impact and expression.

Understanding Crash Characteristics

Size affects pitch and sustain. Smaller crashes (14”-16”) produce higher pitch with quicker decay; larger crashes (17”-20”) produce lower pitch with longer sustain.

Weight affects response and volume. Thin crashes respond easily with quick opening; medium and heavy crashes require more force but project louder.

Brightness affects tonal character. Bright crashes cut through mixes with prominent high frequencies; dark crashes blend with warmer, more complex overtones.

Common Crash Sizes

14” crashes provide quick, high-pitched accents. The fast response suits intricate patterns and subtle emphasis.

16” crashes offer balanced response and projection. This versatile size suits most musical applications.

18” crashes provide full, powerful sound with more sustain. The additional size creates impressive impact for dramatic moments.

20” crashes approach ride cymbal characteristics. The large size produces massive sound but slower response.

Weight Selection

Thin crashes respond easily, opening fully with light strokes. The quick decay makes them articulate and uncluttered.

Medium crashes balance response and projection. The versatile weight adapts to varied playing dynamics.

Heavy crashes require more force but project powerfully. The sustained sound suits larger venues and louder music.

Paper-thin crashes offer extreme responsiveness. These specialized crashes respond to the lightest touch.

Building a Crash Selection

One crash handles basic needs but limits options. Most drummers benefit from at least two crashes of different sizes or characters.

Complementary sizes—perhaps 16” and 18”—provide different sounds for different musical moments.

Contrasting characters—a bright crash and dark crash—offer tonal variety for expressive purposes.

Manufacturer Options

Zildjian A series provides bright, cutting crash sound. The A Custom line offers enhanced brightness and definition.

Zildjian K series provides dark, complex crash character. The K Custom Dark and similar options offer varied darkness.

Sabian AA and AAX series provide bright, projection-focused crashes. The HH and HHX series offer darker alternatives.

Meinl Byzance crashes span bright to dark across sub-series. The Traditional, Brilliant, and Dark lines offer distinct characters.

Paiste 2002 crashes provide bright, powerful sound. The Signature and Masters series offer additional options.

Matching Crashes to Music

Rock and pop typically use bright, cutting crashes that project through amplified instruments. Medium to heavy weights provide necessary volume.

Jazz often uses thinner, more responsive crashes that articulate delicately. Darker characters suit the genre’s aesthetic.

Metal may use heavy crashes that sustain through loud passages. The projection must match the music’s volume.

Crash/Ride Cymbals

Crash/ride hybrids serve both functions acceptably. These cymbals provide versatility but may not excel at either role.

For limited cymbal count setups, crash/rides offer practical solutions. The compromise may be acceptable when versatility matters more than specialization.

Dedicated crashes and rides typically outperform crash/rides at their specific functions. The specialization produces superior results.

Care and Maintenance

Crashes experience significant impact stress. The repeated striking can cause cracks if the cymbal is played improperly.

Glancing blows reduce stress compared to direct strikes. The technique protects cymbals while producing good sound.

Cracked crashes should be addressed promptly. Small cracks can sometimes be stopped by drilling; larger cracks typically require replacement.

Investment Considerations

Quality crashes significantly affect drum sound. Investing in good crashes produces noticeable results.

Used professional crashes often provide better value than new budget crashes. The resale market offers quality at reduced prices.

Building a crash collection over time allows incremental investment. Starting with one quality crash and adding others as budget allows provides practical progression.