INSTANTLY Improve ANY HiHat Sound | Stephen Taylor Drum Lesson

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  • Опубліковано 7 січ 2019
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    _______________ INSTANTLY Improve ANY HiHat Sound | Stephen Taylor Drum Lesson -- Subscribe to my channel here: bit.ly/2AyH1Fb
    Hihats. They seem to be a mystery to all drummers when they begin playing the drums. How do you get a better hihat sound? Why do my hihats sound bad? How can I improve how my hihats sound?
    There are very few times that simply turning one knob on your drums will make a big difference. This is one of those times. One of the things I've repeatedly seen beginner drummers ignore is this. But I was the same way...for years I simply thought that knob under the hihat was for decoration. And then one day, I started turning it...and a whole new world opened up.
    For some of you, this seems like common sense. For others of us, it isn't. I've shown so many beginner drummers what this knob does for the hihat sound...so I thought I would make this quick video for anyone wondering about what that "weird knob under my hihat cymbal does?"
    Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what I think though. What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, tips, and tricks for getting a better hihat sound!
    ___
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    Cymbal Setup From Left To Right:
    All Zildjian
    Hats:
    16" EFX Crash on top
    16" K Light Top Hat on bottom
    18" Kerope Crash
    22" K Custom Dark Complex Ride
    22" Renaissance Ride
    Drums:
    Tama Starclassic Bubinga with Tiger Wood finish
    Sticks:
    Vic Firth 5A
    Drumheads:
    Aquarian
    Classic Clear on toms and snare resonant
    Response 2 on toms batter
    Hi-Velocity on snare batter
    Regularor (Ebony) on kick resonant
    Super Kick 10 on kick batter
    Alclair In Ear Monitors

КОМЕНТАРІ • 292

  • @koehlerdogtraining
    @koehlerdogtraining 5 років тому +254

    " ... you're twisting it anyway, just because it's a knob on your drum set." Hilarious!

    • @nicksmith2964
      @nicksmith2964 5 років тому +2

      koehlerdogtraining 😂 frickin hilarious and he doesn’t even try 😂

    • @trentonking1680
      @trentonking1680 4 роки тому +3

      It’s so true tho lmao

    • @Highcastle_of_Tone
      @Highcastle_of_Tone 2 роки тому +4

      I assume most of my setup problems stem from this approach.

    • @danh9843
      @danh9843 2 роки тому

      Thats 100% me hahaha

    • @fleebab
      @fleebab 2 роки тому

      me foreal doe whe i started

  • @blablablugh
    @blablablugh 5 років тому +20

    Thanks, Steve... Now, I'm the last, unknown knob on my set.

  • @rackjice2952
    @rackjice2952 3 роки тому +30

    Great reminder! It is strange that drummers / tutors almost never seem to mentioned this for drum set, while it's so fundamental for handheld clash cymbals

  • @LeviGenesove
    @LeviGenesove 5 років тому +35

    I did not know that. Thanks for the tip. My OCD mind is going to hate not having them straight though. 😊

    • @richardwilliams1310
      @richardwilliams1310 3 роки тому +1

      Sound edge or vented hats may be the solution for you, hehe

    • @milotron
      @milotron Місяць тому

      quick beats have them @@richardwilliams1310

  • @seanmadden6683
    @seanmadden6683 5 років тому +14

    Fun fact:
    The adjustment screw was invented by Roy Burns, founder of Aquarian drumheads, educator, performer etc.
    Thanks Roy! RIP

  • @tylerchin8760
    @tylerchin8760 5 років тому +104

    Already knew this, but thank you for being one of the only people to make a video actually explaining it!!:)

    • @StephenTaylorDrums
      @StephenTaylorDrums  5 років тому +14

      Lol, I SO could have used this video when I was just starting out.

    • @tylerchin8760
      @tylerchin8760 5 років тому +6

      @@StephenTaylorDrums I feel you!! I feel 90% of drummers don't know how to set up their kits for themselves. Maybe a future video topic?:) Like fundamental kit maintenance and setup

  • @Chiroman527
    @Chiroman527 3 роки тому +4

    Steve, great total explanation of high hats. I am a subsriber to your channel , and also signed up for the on line course. Now I just need to practice , practice, and practice. As an advanced beginner at 68 years old, after a 50 year hiatus from playing drums, heading for retirement, i have found a reknewed and rekindled interest into what has always been a passion of music, my music and being able to play along on the drums. Be safe all and thx again for your great vids.

  • @DrGray_Drummer
    @DrGray_Drummer 5 років тому +4

    That's one of the reasons I love the Sound edge hats. Zildjian now makes hats with their own version of the Sound Edges. I still keep a slight tilt, as it seems to make that click a bit more pronounced. Excellent video, as you were stating, far too many drummers have no idea what that piece is for

  • @taminatorv
    @taminatorv 8 днів тому

    Thanks! I knew about the screw on the bottom to have the hats close at an angle, but I had always tightened the top hat mount too tight. As soon as I loosened the top hat to let it move, my hats instantly sounded SO much better.

  • @DolkkarToyznstuff
    @DolkkarToyznstuff 5 років тому +1

    I'm glad I was educated on this early, but it's also nice to see someone cover this easily and often overlooked topic. Great stuff!

  • @Thomannfamily.
    @Thomannfamily. Рік тому

    Thanks, just putting together my 1st kit and this definitely was very helpful and improved the sound immensely.

  • @alexmanojmathews
    @alexmanojmathews 2 роки тому +1

    Stephen u r an amazing teacher .. huge thanks for the tips .. and for keeping it real always

  • @thatestpchic6995
    @thatestpchic6995 3 роки тому +3

    We have a Pearl hi hat in our school band where the bottom cymbal was WAY too slanted and it sounded horrible.....now after tweaking with it a little bit, it sounds good as new :)

  • @Davesounds
    @Davesounds 2 роки тому +1

    THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFO MY MAN! 🔥🙌🏼 I've been trying to improve my hh sound quality and this video was perfect for that

  • @lukasbeter6156
    @lukasbeter6156 5 років тому +1

    Yep i was part of the people that had no idea what that was for. Awesome info. The smallest details help my performance. Thanks a lot.

  • @jamesfoye821
    @jamesfoye821 3 роки тому

    Perfect! Thanks for the help on this!

  • @hypnosis4207
    @hypnosis4207 3 роки тому

    Man I have been learning so much from your lessons thank you so much 🤘🏼🤘🏼🥁🥁

  • @manupbritain5232
    @manupbritain5232 5 років тому

    Awesome, this inspired me to go and have another tinkle with my angle. My Zily A Customs are really singing out after a slight adjustment and slightly looser on the top cymbal now they're both really ringing.
    I'm also starting to get over the hang up of them not seating together perfectly once closed. For a long time I looked at them with a bit of OCD wanting them to be in line once closed but this confirms after trying different angles it changes the final position eliminating air blocks.

  • @ad.ke.7224
    @ad.ke.7224 5 років тому +5

    Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I think it's important to mention that the top cymbal should not be over tightened. It sounds muffled and bad when you play the hi-hat loose. (And feels like I'm banging on a tabletop.) This is often the first thing I have to change if I'm not playing on my own kit.

  • @LyndaWhite-ju1gj
    @LyndaWhite-ju1gj 5 років тому +1

    Such a simple but useful tip, a few turns of the screw can make a world of difference.

  • @NocturnusMortem
    @NocturnusMortem 2 роки тому

    I needed this so much! thanks man!

  • @gabrielsposito863
    @gabrielsposito863 Рік тому

    Thank you. Newbie here, this solved the issues with the new hi hats that were having the issue you described. Thanks!

  • @nwordpassifyousub2303
    @nwordpassifyousub2303 5 років тому +1

    Thanks bro I’ve been looking for a video that actually explains this unlike everyone else

  • @blade123able
    @blade123able 3 роки тому

    Cheers for the advice mate

  • @johnanderson2171
    @johnanderson2171 3 роки тому

    Always great videos and explanations! I knew this but I will pass on this video to a friend!

  • @ilias-lakisservos7801
    @ilias-lakisservos7801 Рік тому

    Thank you Stephen. Very helpfull.

  • @bradnelson2637
    @bradnelson2637 2 роки тому

    Thanks for posting this

  • @gmrios
    @gmrios 2 роки тому

    Thank you very much. Incredibly useful information.

  • @brettself
    @brettself 3 роки тому

    That changes the way I do THAT. Thanks Stephen!

  • @karenhanania9014
    @karenhanania9014 4 роки тому

    Interesting and helpful. Thank you!

  • @garnilsen
    @garnilsen 5 років тому

    So I have played drums for many years and really never understood what that was for! I needed to understand that, I just never really took the time and searched it out. Thanks for making this video.

  • @WhoWeAre1311
    @WhoWeAre1311 9 місяців тому

    Thank you for the explanation! I’m a self-taught drummer and had no idea what the purpose for that mechanism was. Now I know! 😂

  • @nedmar423
    @nedmar423 2 роки тому

    Very good. Thanks for the tip!

  • @nathancarpenter4929
    @nathancarpenter4929 3 роки тому

    Thank youuuuuu this solved a year long problem of odd hi hat sounds🙏🏻

  • @johnpop5066
    @johnpop5066 2 роки тому

    I've known about the tilt screw forever, never thought about AIR. Makes perfect sense.

  • @kchez5586
    @kchez5586 5 років тому +1

    Another big difference maker in the sound is not cranking the felts really tight on the top. I used to be guilty of this & giving a little more "slop" in the top cymbal helped a lot.

  • @TheDp1965
    @TheDp1965 5 років тому

    Nicely done, Well explained. Spot On.
    Cheers.

  • @blucat63
    @blucat63 5 років тому

    Ahhh! that's what I was looking for! Thx! :)

  • @stevesandvoss3376
    @stevesandvoss3376 Рік тому

    I always adjusted the knob to get the cymbals line up perfectly and now I finally know why my hi hat sounds like crap. Thanks man 👍😬

  • @jesteradv
    @jesteradv 5 років тому

    Great tip!! another good tip for cheap lugs that won't stay in place or have cheap threads use a bit of chap stick on the thread, works like lock tight kinda and soothes out the rough feeling lugs. Can make tuning a bit easier.

  • @Chrisb286
    @Chrisb286 5 років тому

    Great advice thank you, now off to give it a try, keep up the great work.

  • @toddlavigne6441
    @toddlavigne6441 5 років тому +4

    Also, some hi-hats have a ripple edge on the lower hat. Paiste have had them for years and they always sounded loud and bright. Great info. as usual

    • @toddlavigne6441
      @toddlavigne6441 5 років тому

      question for Stephen...how much physical fitness training should a drummer be doing in order to play his/her best?

  • @TheyCallMeNoName34
    @TheyCallMeNoName34 7 місяців тому

    Thank for this great tutorial. I'm new to drums and this helped me out A LOT! Quick question, what's the black plastic piece at the bottom of the high-hat stand just right above the legs. Does it do anything to alter the sound or control of the high-hat pedal etc? Thanks in advance. ~Peace~

  • @miguelsanabria2663
    @miguelsanabria2663 7 місяців тому

    Thanks for the tip...I'm a beginner so I sound a hell of alot better..😊

  • @RichDucat
    @RichDucat 5 років тому

    Such a big help for me.. Thanks 🙌

  • @patrickfarley8036
    @patrickfarley8036 5 років тому +3

    Hey Stephen very cool video. I'm sure you're right about people turning the knob on the drumset just because it's there, as funny as that is too actually hear you say! But it is a very important bit of knowledge and understaning to be able to tweak the sound of your kit to get desired tones or sounds. I believe this true for any instrument! How can you find "your sound" if you dont know how or where to look for it?
    I found out what that tilter screw was for by way of Paiste Soundedge hats back around 70-71. I was amazed at such an odd looking design seeing them for the first time at Mannys Music in NYC. I remember thinking the salesman was pulling my leg about the wavy edge releasing trapped air so the hats didn't sound so choked. That was until he showed me how to adjust the tilter on the stand using traditional plates to achieve basically the same result. For this, I was forever grateful!
    A little later, your boys at Zildjian put round holes in the hats since Paiste had the patent on the wavy edge. At some point I guess the patent expired. Seems everybody has some version of a wavy bottom to release trapped air. Especially us old guys!😨
    😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
    Peace!

  • @BadgerDrums
    @BadgerDrums 5 років тому

    Ha! Always wondered what that thing was. Amazing, thanks Stephen. Cheers, Broc

  • @bobmizen1
    @bobmizen1 4 роки тому

    Thanks for that information. I’ve just been given a new 6 piece Pearl Export Limited Edition kit, so that’s really helpful for setting it up. Regards, Bob M. South Wales

  • @vr4nin953
    @vr4nin953 2 роки тому

    Ill try what you said. OK done it and yea I like the sound. Thank you.

  • @deanrussell5901
    @deanrussell5901 5 років тому

    Thank you for this!

  • @Chiroman527
    @Chiroman527 3 роки тому

    Very good video giving solid info Steve.... Nobody talks about - Tight the top hi hat should be. I saw a poster on a different UA-cam=be video mention that the he was" chocking the top hi hat - it was too tight" I loosened the top clutch and he was right, better sound was achieved. Thought I would share that tidbit.

  • @udosmidt4133
    @udosmidt4133 5 років тому

    Thanks, nice Tipp.

  • @gmoney1592
    @gmoney1592 5 років тому +2

    This is helpful . My hi hats can always use a little improvement. After watching this I’m gonna tweak them a little bit . Change the angle . See what that does . Thanks man!!

    • @StephenTaylorDrums
      @StephenTaylorDrums  5 років тому

      Experimentation...that's the great thing about our instrument

    • @gmoney1592
      @gmoney1592 5 років тому

      Stephen Taylor I couldn’t agree more .thank u

  • @ILikeWafflz
    @ILikeWafflz 5 років тому +2

    I was actually surprised to find out this isn't common knowledge! I found that adjustment and pretty much immediately determined its purpose.
    The problem I was having for a bit back then was that I wasn't getting a decent click _anyway_

  • @donhealey6953
    @donhealey6953 3 роки тому

    Thank you! My daughter just started drums! Very informative video!! Shall subscribe for sure!

  • @MitchieMitchMitchell
    @MitchieMitchMitchell 3 роки тому

    Finally a proper explanation, thanks!👍

  • @albertcrowe8960
    @albertcrowe8960 5 років тому

    Great Tip! I've never been taught that, thanks for sharing!

  • @sumudupriyantha9648
    @sumudupriyantha9648 2 роки тому

    Thank you sir...❤️❤️

  • @bikullanc8511
    @bikullanc8511 4 роки тому +1

    THANKS! That video really helped me

  • @gumobe55
    @gumobe55 5 років тому

    Hi Stephen thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, down just above where the foot pedal attaches. In my case there is a black collar about 1 cm wide on a spring tensioned threaded column. It is screwable but you can feel some tension or resistance.

    • @StephenTaylorDrums
      @StephenTaylorDrums  5 років тому

      gumobe55 yea that has to do with the pedal tension or the pull rod tension, depending on the stand.

  • @leeverrill
    @leeverrill 5 років тому +2

    It doesn't take much....just a slight tilt will work....great video

  • @brandonhaywood426
    @brandonhaywood426 5 років тому +1

    Great info! I have Sabian AAX Fast Hats, which have three holes in the bottom hat, so zero air gets trapped.

  • @mikebarker9187
    @mikebarker9187 5 років тому +1

    Also... Run a pipe cleaner over the felt pad of the bottom hi-hat cymbal and tighten it down by tying it tightly to the knob thing that adjusts the angle of the bottom hat. The prevents the felt from falling off the hi-hat stand when you have removed the rod for traveling, and you are tossing the stand up and down and around. A pipe cleaner is thin enough and strong enough to hold down the felt pad without affecting sound.

  • @kitgroovemachine
    @kitgroovemachine 5 років тому

    Thanks, great tip !

  • @bigsquatchsasfoot1964
    @bigsquatchsasfoot1964 2 роки тому

    I have an old set of Sabian something or others that have 3 holes in the bottom hat from the factory not drilled , always wondered why but that explains it ! They are unusual and I never really thought much about it other than smacking the crap out of them lol great vid dude 👍

  • @deepbluntman___8650
    @deepbluntman___8650 5 років тому

    Thank you for the video! I was ignore it too, in till today 😂💪

  • @82mgranados
    @82mgranados 5 років тому

    Thanks a lot for the awesome video.

  • @johnspeer3077
    @johnspeer3077 5 років тому

    Followed you advise and my hats sound great now thanks

  • @jpurvis1
    @jpurvis1 5 років тому

    Thanks dude. Learned something new today.

  • @wayvves
    @wayvves 3 роки тому

    Appreciate it!

  • @boomerguy9935
    @boomerguy9935 Рік тому +1

    I was never taught this but somehow, I learned it during my past 55 years of drumming. Maybe it's because I actually listen to the hi-hats while I play. I'm a light jazz drummer and I usually keep the hi-hats going during the pauses or breaks so the people still have a beat to dance to. I just call it courtesy. Also, I always use a very light top cymbal and either a light or heavy bottom, depending on the size of the venue.

  • @hegyesmaugli
    @hegyesmaugli 5 років тому

    This is super useful and super underrated

  • @capezyo
    @capezyo 5 років тому

    Thanks!

  • @williamwoerner9938
    @williamwoerner9938 2 роки тому

    Great Advice

  • @Euthyphro
    @Euthyphro 5 років тому +3

    That X Files thing was comedic gold. Loved it.

  • @markvaivars7746
    @markvaivars7746 5 років тому

    0:18, hahaha, guilty as charged! Always wondered what it does. Thanks for sharing!

  • @bobbywhiles6252
    @bobbywhiles6252 5 років тому

    Well done.

  • @Kineticartist
    @Kineticartist 5 років тому

    great video!

  • @jgdevoe
    @jgdevoe 4 роки тому

    Now I’d like to see more on playing them. Especially what you mentioned “flagging” them. Haven’t seen that done while playing a groove of some kind. Maybe too how best to play a quick tap with open/close like jazz would use.

  • @drummerdan86
    @drummerdan86 5 років тому

    Thanks man - I had always wondered about that =)

  • @tobyross4156
    @tobyross4156 5 років тому

    I used to be one of those that fiddled it just because it's there... thanks for your great work Stephen!

  • @harryoffutt2179
    @harryoffutt2179 3 роки тому

    Thanks. Did not know this.

  • @waynekerr966
    @waynekerr966 5 років тому

    New student here! I inspired by you, I hope I can be a better drummer watching your vids, I subscribed :")

    • @StephenTaylorDrums
      @StephenTaylorDrums  5 років тому +1

      Music Alley So glad to have you in the drumming family and have you hanging on here with us!

    • @waynekerr966
      @waynekerr966 5 років тому

      So glad that I found your channel! =)

  • @simonwoodward476
    @simonwoodward476 5 років тому

    I use a big tilt. I like the loud sounds and the sloppy top cymbal too. It seems to give so much more presence.

  • @manofgod6057
    @manofgod6057 5 років тому

    Thanks bro 👊

  • @MalachiVereen
    @MalachiVereen 2 роки тому

    Thank you

  • @lichkrieg4898
    @lichkrieg4898 5 років тому +1

    This video could have been 1:30, but it wasn't and we love you for it.

  • @tradbowtimewithuncledan2686
    @tradbowtimewithuncledan2686 5 років тому +27

    Oh that's what that does😂👍

  • @huongtickell463
    @huongtickell463 5 років тому

    Ah Ha...! Now I understand:) Thank you very much for your video 👍🏻

  • @jensharald9091
    @jensharald9091 5 років тому

    Wow..! I was not aware of that screw! :O I've used mastersound hihats for years so i guess it just wasn't a problem anyway. Also, the top of the rod in my hi hat stand is actually a little ageled which might and might not be on purpose but helps this aswell.

  • @thomaskleinhans2384
    @thomaskleinhans2384 5 років тому

    Allways good education! Wonderfull t-shirt, train shirt......

    • @StephenTaylorDrums
      @StephenTaylorDrums  5 років тому

      Picked that up at a bluegrass show I went to last year. Killer pickers in that group

  • @damianorsini2895
    @damianorsini2895 5 років тому

    Hello Steve. Very useful video as usual. I knew about the screw but didn't really think about the air part. I thought it was more so they didn't "lock" up. Now it makes more sense. My question to you though. I know that the hats sound different miked of course (mine aren't obviously) Can you recommend a relatively affordable set of hats. I have ZBT'S, Meinl etc. All in the 80-100 dollar range. But I just can't seem to get that "sound". My favorite hat sound is probably from Ernie (or any other drummer of theirs) in the Isley Brothers. Don't know if that helps narrow my choices or not. And what mix of hat weights do you personally use. Ie. Medium top, light bottoms etc. I appreciate any help. And keep up the great content. Especially for us noobs.

  • @anthonyrdrums
    @anthonyrdrums 5 років тому

    I always though it was there to align the cymbals to correct uneven flooring surfaces, eg, the stage might be a fraction uneven. How wrong i was -_- Great informative video!

  • @drummersdragons5287
    @drummersdragons5287 5 років тому +2

    My current hihat is a tennis shoes with jingle bells looped thru the strings, BUT my new one is half ready. Definitely gonna crank that spring knob. Thanks!
    Use to crank it just for the slight cymbal angle. For playing, not for air of anything.
    Good info.
    The reason for ozone hats? Maybe. Doubt it.
    Thanks again!

    • @SyntheticFuture
      @SyntheticFuture 5 років тому +1

      Nah Ozone is just Sabian trying to save some money on copper :p
      But on a serious note the product page for the Swiss cheese hats (uh "sick hats") states: "Large holes allow Sick Hats to breathe in ways other Hats simply cannot - with virtually no airlock, you hear everything.". Sadly the O-Zones are no longer for sale but they may very well have applied the same logic with those :)

    • @drummersdragons5287
      @drummersdragons5287 5 років тому +3

      Thanks ThaTyger.
      Those sick hats look a mess but maybe they sound good.
      Seems like a power drill and a set of bits could make any hats sick.

  • @rebecaperalta5863
    @rebecaperalta5863 3 роки тому

    Good video

  • @cgorgv
    @cgorgv 5 років тому

    You just blew my mind

  • @grahammonroe4998
    @grahammonroe4998 3 роки тому

    Hey stephen! My names graham and my dream cymbals are the exact ones you play. However, they’re super expensive. Could you make a video with some tips and tricks to get a better sound out of all cymbals and maybe even some DIY ways to get a more dry sound?

  • @babyjesuslovesme1219
    @babyjesuslovesme1219 5 років тому

    That’s good to know!

  • @allancueto22
    @allancueto22 2 роки тому

    Cool video...question! we need cymbal sleeves on the cymbal stands right? Why we don't have any "protection" on the hi hat clutch? Lol....does the two cymbal felts and two nut locks enough? Maybe this is a stupid question but i wanna know

  • @karichurchilllaidman7391
    @karichurchilllaidman7391 4 місяці тому

    Hi and thank you, how important is the actual high hat stand? I have brand new symbols but the stock stand from my kit which is a Matex. Thank you 🥁❤️👍