There's a few things to keep in mind.
A....What kinds of music do you plan to play? Some cymbals have a trashy sound. Others have a dry sound, or have a bright sound. Take a trip to a shop and hit many cymbals. Then choose cymbals that blend well together. B....Do you want cheap or inexpensive cymbals? How much can you spend? Cheap cymbals generaly (but not always) sound cheap. Middle priced cymbals will sound better and last longer. Top of the line expensive cymbals aren't needed in your case. Develope your ear better before you venture out. Until you learn how to set up and control cymbals you may break/crack a couple while learning.
C....Do you plan to stick with it for years? That's an unknown factor so I would stick in the middle ground or buy better cymbals used from ebay or a sale. I bought good cymbals years ago and still have them.
You can buy individual cymbals or sets.... I myself would go after a 20" ride, 18" crash, 16" crash, and 14" hat cymbals. Those sizes will cover most styles of music.
The best I can say is go to the shop, take a stick, and bang away....You'll know what pleases your ear. Don't buy because "such and such" plays that kind. Buy because it sounds good to YOU.
I prefer either Ziljian or Paiste because of the variety of music I play. Cymbals are a very personal thing. You can always pick out the ones you like in a shop and then watch ebay for used ones. That will sometimes get you started with better cymbals right off the bat. Good luck, you've got many hours ahead of you to find that perfect sound for you.... There are a lot of posts here about cymbals, so do a search and read away. Lots of info here if you're willing to dig through archives.... Have fun! Welcome to Drummer Cafe. Good people here.
