Splash Cymbals

Will you be the next Gene Krupa or Dave Weckl? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: if you want to roll with the greats, it's going to take the right gear and more than a little finesse. The splash cymbal is one important step in that direction. A standard part of the well-rounded drum set, this outstanding cymbal may be small, but it is sure to make a big splash! Invented by Krupa himself, this accent cymbal was prominent in 1920s and '30s jazz music but largely disappeared until it was revived by Stewart Copeland of the Police. Today, you can reap the fruits of that revival with an assortment of options that have never been seen before in the instrument's history. Modern splash cymbals come in a variety of flavors: traditional, rock, china, salsa, thin, bell and specialty stack cymbals. No matter your sound and style, there is a splash cymbal to match. With so many varieties available, many drummers incorporate an extended array of splash cymbals to add character to their kit. Normally, a splash cymbal's role is to punctuate music with short accents, often played off-beat to stand out in the mix. Designed to be hit hard to generate a fast, impactful sound, splash cymbals usually have very little taper and give a restrained tone as a result. The rock variety adds a slight taper for improved richness, with each of the remaining types offering its own unique specialty sound. Like most cymbals, a splash will sometimes come fitted with a sizzler. The mounting of splash cymbals is a matter of preference for the drummer—it may take some experimentation to figure out what works for you. Popular methods include mounting the cymbal on its own stand, on a boom attached to the stand of another cymbal or drum, piggybacking on another cymbal or mounting as the upper cymbal in a stack. However you choose to mount your splash cymbals and whichever varieties you choose to add to your kit, one thing is for sure: these compact powerhouses will impact your performances in a big way.