THE CANADIAN MUSIC SCENE

SABIAN CORNER

Select a cymbal for your style of play and the therapeutic benefits of percussion Hey music folks! My name is Stacey Montgomery-Clark and I’m the director of marketing at SABIAN. I’ll be putting down the sticks and picking up the pen this month to craft the latest “SABIAN Corner,” our monthly column authored by various SABIAN employees to better inform you about the different aspects of the percussion, drumming, and music scenes. As we pass the ides of March, this time out we’re going to outline how to select a cymbal for your style of play, discuss the therapeutic benefits of percussion, and hit you with the latest news from SABIAN. Last month we broke down what cymbals are and how they’re used within the scope of drumming. For this month’s cymbal feature I’ve turned to Chris Stankee (SABIAN’s West Coast artist relations manager), who has outlined the following basic tips to keep in mind when selecting these hand-hammered orbs of sonic beauty: When it comes to cymbal performance techniques, there are particular ways to play your cymbals to maximize their longevity and extract the proper tone. First, choose the right cymbal for the style of music you are playing. It's not all about weight and size. Generally, a larger and heavier cymbal is better for a hard rock situation and the opposite holds true for an acoustic or jazz situation. Additionally, the grooves on a cymbal have a lot to do with the tone it will give you. The tonal grooves equalize the cymbal to make it produce certain frequencies. Cymbals like SABIAN's AA or HH series have a deep, wide tonal groove that focus on the high, cutting frequencies. In contrast, the AAX or HHX series has a fine, pin-point tonal groove that has a quicker response. The vibrations are able to move across the surface of the cymbal more freely, which makes them more dynamic. They will give the same tone at all volume levels as opposed to a cymbal with a wider tonal groove that you have to strike harder to make the fundamental pitch go away. So, when finding cymbals that fit your style, you’ll need to examine what's more important to your style of play – dynamic range or cut? Aside from the sheer fun of beating on a conga or hi-hat, drumming also provides other positive benefits including its value as a therapeutic health aid. That’s right, you’ll be pleased to know that all the time you’ve spent perfecting your favorite G’n’R drum solo might actually go a long way towards boosting your immune system. In fact, researchers and scientists have deemed percussion as a valid outlet for letting off steam and exhibiting creative energy. More importantly, studies have shown that percussion, and drumming in particular, can boost the immune system and thus reduce stress and improve one’s overall health. In a USA Today article titled “The Rhythm of Life,” a study led by neurologist Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pa., found that patients who took part in group drumming, or drum circles, experienced increased levels of disease-fighting immune system cells, also known as natural killer cells. As an explanation, Bittman attributes this difference to the stress-reducing benefits of self-expression, camaraderie and rhythmic drumming. So be sure to keep up the percussion… your health may depend on it! In terms of what’s going on with our team, SABIAN continues to create innovative products designed to produce sounds appropriate for any musical genre. From county fairs to gospel music conventions to high profile arena rock shows, the sonic diversity of SABIAN cymbals will be on display all spring and summer. As an example, we just recently announced the re-launch of the SABIAN Vault Tour, our traveling cymbal exhibition featuring cymbal lathing and hand-hammering demonstrations facilitated by SABIAN master craftsmen. Last year’s tour provided selection and maintenance support for drummers on the East Coast. This year we thought those on the West Coast would enjoy the tour, so we’re headed back out on the road in June to visit 10 cities from San Diego to Seattle. Be sure to check it out! Until next time, be sure to give careful consideration to tonality when selecting cymbals, maintain regular percussion practice for your health, and keep an eye peeled for SABIAN equipment featured at a convention, concert or Vault Tour near you! Your fellow Canadian musician/music fan, Stacey

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