Ride Cymbal Selection: Finding Your Voice

Ride cymbal selection significantly affects drumming identity, as the ride handles continuous playing throughout most songs. The ride’s character—bright or dark, defined or washy, controlled or complex—shapes the overall drum sound. Understanding how different ride characteristics serve different music enables choosing the right ride for specific applications.

Understanding Ride Characteristics

Stick definition describes how clearly individual stick strokes articulate. High definition provides clear “ping” for each stroke; low definition produces blended, washy sound.

Wash refers to sustaining overtones that build during continuous playing. Heavy wash creates cloud-like sustain; controlled wash keeps rhythm distinct.

Bell character affects accent sounds. Some bells cut clearly; others blend with the bow sound. The bell’s usefulness for patterns varies between rides.

Weight affects all characteristics. Heavier rides provide more volume, sustain, and bell definition; lighter rides respond more easily with less buildup.

Ride Sizes and Their Effects

20” rides provide balance between response and projection. This size suits most musical applications and remains the most common choice.

21” rides offer slightly more volume and wash than 20” while maintaining good response. The size suits players wanting more presence.

22” and larger rides provide maximum volume and sustain. The additional mass creates powerful sound but slower response.

18” and 19” rides offer quick response with less volume. These sizes suit lower-volume applications or secondary rides.

Weight Considerations

Light rides respond easily with quick wash buildup. The sound is complex and overtone-rich. Jazz players often prefer lighter rides.

Medium rides balance response and definition. The versatile weight suits varied musical applications.

Heavy rides provide maximum stick definition and bell clarity. The controlled wash suits louder, more aggressive playing.

Extra-heavy rides offer extreme definition and power. These specialized cymbals suit specific applications requiring maximum cut.

Bright vs. Dark Rides

Bright rides (Zildjian A, Paiste 2002, Sabian AA) feature prominent high frequencies. The cutting sound projects through amplified instruments.

Dark rides (Zildjian K, Sabian HHX, Meinl Byzance Traditional) emphasize lower frequencies with complex overtones. The warm sound suits acoustic and jazz applications.

Medium rides occupy the tonal center between bright and dark. These versatile cymbals adapt to varied contexts.

Manufacturer-Specific Offerings

Zildjian A Medium Ride provides bright, cutting sound with clear definition. The A Custom Ping offers enhanced articulation.

Zildjian K rides offer dark, complex character with rich overtones. The Constantinople and Kerope lines provide premium jazz options.

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

Meinl Byzance covers the spectrum from bright to dark across its various sub-series. The Sand rides offer unique character.

Paiste 2002 provides bright, powerful sound with distinctive cut. The Masters and Formula 602 series offer varied options.

Matching Ride to Music

Rock and pop typically use bright, defined rides that cut through amplified instruments. Medium to heavy weights provide necessary projection.

Jazz traditionally uses dark, complex rides that respond to dynamics. Lighter weights with rich overtones suit the genre.

Metal may use heavy, defined rides that articulate fast patterns clearly. The extreme clarity helps patterns remain distinct.

Studio applications may prefer different rides than live performance. Recording reveals characteristics that live volume masks.

Multiple Rides

Many drummers use multiple rides for different applications. A primary ride handles most playing; additional rides serve specific needs.

A bright ride and dark ride combination covers most situations. The versatility justifies owning both.

Flat rides, swish cymbals, and specialty rides serve specific purposes beyond primary ride applications.

Testing and Purchasing

Ride cymbals should be tested before purchasing when possible. The same model varies between individual cymbals.

Test rides with actual sticks used for playing. Different sticks produce different sounds from the same cymbal.

Consider the musical context the ride will serve. Match ride character to intended applications.

Used rides from reputable sources offer value. The resale market provides quality at reduced prices.