Column #4

Jeff Campbell

July 4, 2007

Cymbals are instruments all their own

As a jazz bassist, I have the opportunity to play with a lot of great drummers. There is a special musical bond between the bassist and drummer because our two instruments are responsible for the time and pulse of the music. Discussions between the drummer and bassist are often centered around such riveting topics as how to keep a steady beat or ways to play softly without letting the music slow down. Sometimes we talk about our respective equipment and how it affects the other. If I bring a new amplifier to a concert, I’m curious if the drummer likes its sound. If a drummer brings a new cymbal, he or she may ask the bassist about its tone or volume level. Now I’m not a professional drummer, but I will say that over the years, I have developed very strong opinions about the cymbals.

Cymbals are nothing more than big discs of metal. There is a hole in the center so the cymbal can be mounted on a stand. Traditionally, cymbals come from Turkey and are used in almost every type of western music from rock n’ roll to classical to jazz to country western and even polka. Cymbals are the main time-keeping instruments in a drum-set; in fact, I’ve never been able to figure out why we call drummers ‘drummers.’ Because they mostly play time on cymbals, I think we should call them ‘Cymbalists.’ What do you think?

Most drummers (cymbalists) guard their cymbals with their lives. I remember once when we went on a family vacation, my drummer (cymbalist) father was so nervous about leaving his cymbals in the house that he hid them in a nook between the furnace and the chimney. (However, he left his drums in the garage.) We had a wonderful time on the trip but were so relieved to get home so he could check on the status of the cymbals.

When drummers travel and can’t bring their drums, they always bring their cymbals. The more I think about it, the more I think we should change their title from drummer to cymbalist. I may have to lobby the ‘Percussive Arts Society’ (a professional percussionist support group) to see if they would be willing to change drummers name to cymbalist.

This week at Birch Creek we have lots of cymbalists (drummers) who will performing for you. In fairness, we really have to call them percussionists because ‘percussion’ suggests a much broader term - representing many instruments that can be hit or struck. But take some time to see how these ‘percussionists’ treat their cymbals. You’ll see that they place their cymbals in special cases with velvet linings. Drums are placed in cases made of fiberglass that are ABSENT of any lining whatsoever. After the concert, the musicians will leave their drums on stage but put their cymbals away in a locked room.

If you’re willing, would you please discuss my proposed title change with your local drummer/percussionist (cymbalist) friend? Let me know what they say.