![]() With continuous usage of a cymbal, a cymbal’s sound will be darker and mellow with age. But how will a cymbal sound after using it for a couple of years? How Does Cymbals Sound with Age?Īs we’ve already discussed, the sound of cymbal’s changes with age. In contrast, some prefer keeping it dirty to change the sound. Some drummers prefer to clean their cymbals every once in a while. However, keep in mind that this will only happen if you don’t clean your cymbals. When dirt and dust accumulates and fills the pores (or dimples) of cymbals, it changes the cymbal’s sound. So, to answer the question: Do dirty cymbals sound different? This will also change the cymbal’s sound with age. The dirt on the cymbals will also dry and harden on the cymbal’s surface over time, forming a film of dirt on the cymbal. The size and spacing of the pores can affect the cymbal’s pitch, loudness or change the cymbal’s decay.Īs dirt and dust accumulate on the cymbals over the years, it fills the pores up, and over time, this changes the cymbal’s sound. ![]() This is in an effort to change how the cymbals sound. Manufacturers usually make pores (or what some drummers call dimples) on the cymbal’s surface by hammering. ![]() Dirty CymbalsĪs you may already know, cymbals surfaces are mostly not smooth. And the more the patina on the cymbal’s surface, the more the cymbal’s sound changes. The more the sweats and oil from greasy hands and other things accumulate on the cymbals, the more the patina that forms on the cymbal’s surface. ![]() It takes many years for cymbals to oxidise. But how does it form on cymbals?Īs cymbals age, sweats and oil from your hands when you touch them, smoke, and drumstick marks on the cymbals oxidises on the cymbal’s surface and turns into a patina. This means patina can form on most cymbals. And as you may already know, most cymbals are made from copper-based alloys like brass, nickel silver, and bronze. Patina refers to the brown and green film that forms on metallic surfaces, usually copper, brass or bronze metal surfaces, due to oxidation. PatinaĪnother thing that causes cymbals sound to change is patina. I explained this in detail in my article on breaking in cymbals. It comes as a result of using the cymbals for a long time - usually after a couple of years. And all of these changes don’t happen overnight. The softer it becomes, the more the sound changes. The sound of the cymbal gradually changes as it loosens up and changes form. The cymbals may also change in form and lose their perfect roundness on the edges. Similarly, your cymbals will loosen up as you hit them over an extended period. As you hit them continuously over an extended period, they loosen up and possibly change in form. This is quite common with every alloy metal, not just cymbals. The cymbals become softer and softer as you practice or play gigs with them. However, as you play the cymbals over the years, they begin to loosen up. Unless you buy cheap cymbals, cymbals made by well-known manufacturers are more robust because they want them to last for years and still be in great condition. Metal FatigueĬymbals, when they are purchased brand new, are more robust and rigid. To make it simpler to understand, I’ll put all of these factors under three main points - metal fatigue, patina, and dirty cymbals. There are several factors that affect how cymbals sound as they age. How Does a Cymbal’s Sound Change with Age?
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