[Dixielandjazz] Ride cymbals

[David W. Littlefield]

At 12:44 PM 9/8/2004 -0400, TCASHWIGG at aol.com wrote:
Sheik Said:
>> Man after my on heart--I H-A-T-E ride cymbals...kept me from buying or
>> listening to much Nicksiland, even when rest of the music is great...
>> 
>> I've asked DJML drummers over the years what purpose the rider serves, and
>> have never had the courtesy of a reply...
>> 
>> One of my drummers came up with a workable compromise: he clipped a piece
>> of bicycle innertube to each rider, which cut out the hiss altogether,
>> leaving a short ring after each stroke that didn't interfere with hearing
>> what was happening on the bandstand...
>> 
>> 
>Just clarify this issue a bit more:
>Dave are you speaking of a Ride Cymbal here or what we drummers call a 
>Sizzler ?

Hi Tom. Ride cymbal. Don't get me started on the sizzler...an unspeakable
abomination.

>The ride cymbal is used by most of us to Drive the band, 

That's something I've never understood--how can hissssssssssssssssssss
drive anything (except me nuts when I'm trying to communicate with folks on
the bandstand)?  I've got no problem with the hissssssssssss on the out
chorus of an excitement tune, because it raises the dynamic level. But
otherwise, it seems to me it's mostly wasted strokes--surely "whacking"
percussive brushes would drive more, by giving everyone a solid floor that
the rider doesn't provide. 

Thanks.
--Sheik

>they come in various 
>sizes and sounds that should be balanced with and for the type of music you 
>are going to play, picking the correct one can be tricky.
>
>Using such a cymbal has it's time and place, but used incessantly can and 
>will drive the band nuts, as will banging on a Chinese gong cymbal too
much or 
>over playing a splash.
>
>There is however no substitute for tasteful playing putting each note in the 
>right place and TIME.  :))    Too much of anything can be annoying except for 
>Sex of course and music.
>Tom Wiggins