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« on: August 21, 2008, 11:25 AM » |
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I realize there are no hard and fast rules, but what, in your opinion and in one sentence, is the function of the ride cymbal in rock and pop drumming?
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boomka
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« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2008, 11:56 AM » |
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Chris Whitten might say it's to keep the lights on Stage Right out of his eyes...  Seriously though, to provide another potential voice or texture depending on the needs of the song. There's a long thread on this exact subject kicking around. Do a search. |
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Chip71
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« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2008, 12:01 PM » |
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To give a "full" sound to the beat. The hat is one sound, the ride is another sound to change/add a certain sound to a song. It fills where a hat doesn't. At least that's the way I was told to use it by other educated drummers.  |
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Smitty
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« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2008, 12:05 PM » |
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There's a long thread on this exact subject kicking around. Do a search. I know, I started that thread.  I'm just looking for concise answers as kind of a mental exercise. The one you provided is a good one. My definition: "The function of the ride cymbal in rock and pop drumming is to provide a glassy crystalline timekeeping sound for certain passages or choruses in a song which require an emotional lift that the hi-hat cymbals can’t provide." That’s probably kinda stupid! But maybe you see what I’m getting at. I’m not looking for dictionary definitions. I’m looking for a little bit of philosophy in there. The real heart of the question is when or why do you play the ride cymbal? Can it be put into words or is it just too abstract? |
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boomka
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« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2008, 12:20 PM » |
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Yeah, I had an inkling that was the case.
They're also good for decapitating zombies at a distance, if one has the requisite skill.
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« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2008, 12:37 PM » |
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They're also good for decapitating zombies at a distance, if one has the requisite skill.
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Tim vdv
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« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2008, 02:37 PM » |
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Here's how I use the ride cymbal in pop/rock music. Keep in mind, these are opinions, not hard and fast rules:
Tension - it can build or relase tension (going into a chorus, out of a chorus, in a pre-chorus, in the bridge or used in the outro); the switch from hi-hats to ride is obvious to us, but a little more visceral for the average music fan
Signpost - it can signal where the chorus/verse/bridge sits in the song
Space - it fills more space than stacatto pulses on the hi-hats; a quarter note pulse on the ride can fill the sonic space as if it were half notes with it's decay; you'll hear them in a lot of ballads
Colour - it's generally "sweeter" sounding than the hi-hats; as a crash ride sound, it's a wall of wash and white noise
Speed - it can change the perceived tempo of the song (even if the tempo has remained constant)
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Danno
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« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2008, 04:30 PM » |
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...what, in your opinion and in one sentence, is the function of the ride cymbal in rock and pop drumming?
In rock and pop the ride cymbal is used during choruses. |
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Louis
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« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2008, 05:31 PM » |
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The ride cymbal is just another tool, such as an artist uses a brush, what you do with that tool is entirely up to your artistic qualities and imagination.
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kmaley
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« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2008, 08:55 PM » |
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The ride cymbal is just another tool, such as an artist uses a brush, what you do with that tool is entirely up to your artistic qualities and imagination.
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Smitty
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« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2008, 11:12 PM » |
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Here's how I use the ride cymbal in pop/rock music. Keep in mind, these are opinions, not hard and fast rules:
Tension - it can build or relase tension (going into a chorus, out of a chorus, in a pre-chorus, in the bridge or used in the outro); the switch from hi-hats to ride is obvious to us, but a little more visceral for the average music fan
Signpost - it can signal where the chorus/verse/bridge sits in the song
Space - it fills more space than stacatto pulses on the hi-hats; a quarter note pulse on the ride can fill the sonic space as if it were half notes with it's decay; you'll hear them in a lot of ballads
Colour - it's generally "sweeter" sounding than the hi-hats; as a crash ride sound, it's a wall of wash and white noise
Speed - it can change the perceived tempo of the song (even if the tempo has remained constant)
I really enjoyed reading this response. Nice thoughts. |
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mouse
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« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2008, 03:30 AM » |
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Time keeping maintained through guitar wail by the cutting bell, an extra crash from hell if the cymbal is good |
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« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2008, 02:11 PM » |
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Yeah, I had an inkling that was the case.
They're also good for decapitating zombies at a distance, if one has the requisite skill.
That's if you run out of vinyl albums you don't care about   |
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Chris Whitten
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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2008, 06:45 PM » |
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I really enjoyed reading this response. Nice thoughts.
Me too. Notice it wasn't one sentence, nor was it particularly concise. I don't think the question can be answered in such a brief way. Cliche alert: There are no rules. Sometimes a rock/pop song requires ride from beginning to end. The rock/pop studio convention over the last 25 years has been for very little ride use. I often don't even set one up. But everything has to be assessed on a song by song basis. As I said, I sometimes find myself playing ride almost all the way through a song. I definitely play ride more often in concert than I do in the studio. |
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« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2008, 07:20 PM » |
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Keith Moon and Robbie Bachmans opinion would have been far different but i like both of their decisions as to when and how to use it. Im a street drummer so i have no education on its proper use . |
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Chip71
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« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2008, 07:28 PM » |
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I will usually set up two rides. One bright and one darker sounding.
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Tim vdv
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« Reply #16 on: August 23, 2008, 09:17 AM » |
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Me too.
Notice it wasn't one sentence, nor was it particularly concise.
I don't think the question can be answered in such a brief way.
Cliche alert: There are no rules.
Sometimes a rock/pop song requires ride from beginning to end.
The rock/pop studio convention over the last 25 years has been for very little ride use.
I often don't even set one up.
But everything has to be assessed on a song by song basis.
As I said, I sometimes find myself playing ride almost all the way through a song.
I definitely play ride more often in concert than I do in the studio.
Not concise! Why you..! hahaha ...just kidding, Chris. He's right, folks; there are no rules (unless your producer is telling you otherwise). |
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CC Drums
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« Reply #17 on: September 02, 2008, 12:03 AM » |
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Awesome thread........it's funny, I'm finding I'm riding on crashes more to get more of a "white noise" kind of sound.
cc
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« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2008, 08:52 AM » |
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During jamming sessions/improvisation/guitar or key solos, it allows the drummer to mix things up, keeping things from getting too stale as the measures roll on by.
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Chip71
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« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2008, 09:14 AM » |
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The ride gives another voice to the mix. That voice can be trashy, or it can be very full filling to the overall sound. Even how you use the ride can change the "feel" of the music. Knowing when and where to use the ride can separate your overall voice within the music. How you use your cymbals can reflect your talent just like a lead guitar uses his strings. At least that's what cymbal use does for me. |
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