Customer Reviews

The Cymbal Book

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to say, this book has taught me more about cymbals than I could ask for. I had always been looking for a book that spoke about cymbals and almost gave up after seeing so many books simply say "hit the cymbal here" or briefly talking about the concept of a cymbal, etc.
This book has opened my eyes to a whole new world. Not only do I now properly know how to pick the right cymbal, I've even learnt about the things that most people would often neglect on their own.... thanks to this book, I no longer walk into music stores and just hit random cymbals in hope for that right sound...
Anyone who is looking to really learn about cymbals, their history, their production process, their uses, and even how many greats place them! is going to get a good heavy dose of information from this book.
Bravo!

Notice 4 out of 5 stars. I like the book, it's chock full of facts and information. If you think you know a lot about cymbals, think again. On an informational level, I have never even heard of a book that goes this far. The only complaints I have are: It needs more color photography throughout, and it
desperately needs to be revised and updated. If you can overlook that glaring omission, I highly reccommend this book.

I bought 2. I gave one to my friend/teacher as a "hey check this out" when we were hanging out. Lost him in the pages for 10 minutes. He is a true cymbal freak. I am a budding cymbal freak. It is a genetic tweak that happens to gain a "higher intelligence". I was tweaked when I heard Elvin Jones say he heard violins when he played his cymbals. What did that mean. I bought lighter, many more musical K's. A flat ride. An Agop. I sold the manhole covers and resolved to change my style forever.
This book is not only the perfect gift for the drummer, but the first gift one should get. It obviously is not well known as my friend, Mike, a registered cymbal freak had not heard of it. Definite buy! You will love it.

A little outdated, but well worth your time. This book goes into history, set-ups, types, brands, etc, etc..

Hugo definitely didn't go to school for journalism, but that doesn't mean this book isn't readable. There is a lot of good information packed in here, so fill that brain of yours..

Keep an open mind yall.

Cymbal lovers will enjoy this comprehensive history. Good photos, relevant info for drummers especially early Jazz.

I really like this book, because I have ongoing cymbalitis. The overview of production techniques and materials is really informative, but I think it could have gone farther-the role of rolling in molecular realignment for example and why that is important-more specifics were needed. The role of lathing-even, tight, open or uneven and the effect on sound/overtones was not really addressed by this book. Hammering patterns effects were also not really gone to in depth. I have noticed from my own cymbals (hybrids unlathed and lathed sections and uneven hammering) that these techniques have specific effects on overtones that-I think_could be generalized. I like the book, but it left me hungry for more. I think it is totally worth your while, even though it needs updating.I do not think there is a more comprehesive resource out there at the moment.

Great book for lifting up you "drumspirit" in the sense that it is filled wit lots of historycal stuyff. It is great to know and see that there were a lot of drummers before us that were inspired by this instruments. The book is more a enciclopedia-story rather then a dictionary type.
Another thing about this book is that the autor is clearly a guy who is verry passionate about drums and especially cymbals, and in writeing this book the he transmited a lot of that positive energy onto the text...energy which you can pick up, and make good us of.