Music is an integral part of the church experience for many congregations worldwide. It helps people to connect more deeply with religious experience. The percussion section, particularly the cymbals, is a substantial part of worship music. The instrument enhances the intensity and rhythms of the songs. Whether you are in your congregation's band or a faithful admirer of these inspiring tunes, finding the right cymbals is crucial to create the best music. Here, we present our top four picks for church cymbals in 2022. We also discuss finding the best cymbals for service and religious music. By the end, you should have all the information you need to find the perfect instruments to make beautiful church music.
Our top picks:
- Best for quiet environments: Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Ride Cymbal 20"
- Best for church ambiance: Paiste Signature Dark Energy Hi-Hat Cymbals 14"
- Best crash cymbal for church: Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash Cymbal 18"
- Least expensive option: Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Crash Cymbal 16"
- Best for transportation: Sabian FRX Prepack w/ Free Quick Cymbal Bag
You cannot go wrong with any of the four picks below if you are looking for some great church cymbals this year. We will talk about the sound each of them espouses so that you can find the best set.
#1 Sabian FRX Frequency Reduced Ride Cymbal 20"
This ride cymbal is perfect for this environment because the design is fitting for quiet, subdued environments. While it is not low volume, it cuts out some of the frequencies that result in a loud perceived volume. Strategically drilling holes have removed these frequencies. The design allows drummers to play their hardest without worrying about rough sounds that may sound disturbing to some in formal settings. The pricing is reasonable, although one wouldn't call it cheap.
#2 Paiste Signature Dark Energy Hi-Hat Cymbals 14"
These hi-hats give the drummer immense control and balance with the sounds they create. With its responsive feel, drummers can create full dark, shimmering, and rich sounds. It will significantly add to a church worship experience's ambiance. The hi-hat is a crucial part of the drum set, so you should choose one with special care. Hopefully, this hi-hat will work well for your purposes. This option is a bit more on the expensive side, so that will be crucial for you to keep in mind as you make your final decision.
#3 Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Thin Crash Cymbal 18"
This instrument produces a dry sound that is pleasing to listen to, even at low volumes. It has a quick decay with dark and earthy tones. This crash cymbal is of a good size. Generally, the bigger the instrument, the more difficult it is to manage and the louder. Therefore, an 18" crash is a good pick. This choice comes with a middle-of-the-road price.
#4 Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Crash Cymbal 16"
These dry crash cymbals have a unique sound that works well for various modern musical styles, including service music. If you want to add some personality to your playing, these crash cymbals will do just the trick. When on sale, these can be relatively inexpensive. They are by far the least expensive option on this list.
#5 Sabian FRX Prepack w/ Free Quick Cymbal Bag
This cymbal pack that includes all the basic cymbal types is perfect for playing in situations like church services where traditional cymbals can be overpowering. The quick cymbal bag that is included for free will help church players going from gig to gig to easily transport their instruments. The set is priced at a wonderful value for all the products you get.
What to Look for When Choosing Church Cymbals
If you are looking for a cymbal set to play in church, you will need to keep different things in mind than if you were planning to use them for a rock band. Something that might be important to you if you were playing a rowdy concert may not make any sense in a reflective worship environment. Below are the qualities to keep in mind:
Strong but Not Overpowering Sound
You do not want the cymbals to be the only thing you hear during service. It would be best if they faded into the background and were not distracting. The instruments must be audible, but they should not be overpowering. It would be best if you were looking for options that blend well with other instruments. Whatever you do, you want to avoid being overly intense and trashy. sounds
Dry and Low-Volume
It would be best if you considered using dry or low-volume cymbals. Dry variations usually have a hammered thin design so that they have a fast decay. These types ensure that the cymbals play their part and are not too loud and distracting. However, it's worth noting that how you play them can also influence how loud they sound. The sound will be intense if you hit the cymbals as loud as you can. Learning to control your playing style will help you use the instruments to your advantage in creating beautifully reflective service music.
Lower Pitch
When these instruments have a lower pitch, it reduces harsh high frequencies that are not conducive to a worship setting. Look for cymbals that advertise a dark sound. You could also consider ones specifically designed to remove higher frequencies that may be abrasive in a worship setting.
Muting Products
Suppose you cannot afford to buy a whole new set, or your new ones are still too loud. In these situations, you might consider purchasing muting products. Muting products help to dampen the volume. For example, if you play for a small congregation, these items can help present a pleasing sound without overwhelming the audience. Placing sound control pads under the bell can help significantly control sound to be conducive for this environment.
Ride
In church music, the rhythmic ride is generally much more critical than the accented crash. A defined ride sound is often a must-have. If you can only afford one or only have room for one, look for a ride first before expanding to other types. Ride cymbals also tend to meet the above criteria more than different types.
Consider the Type of Worship Music
This category of music can be pretty broad, depending on your definition. You will want to ensure that the product you use will sound right for the type of church music you will be playing. Some places of worship stick to traditional songs, while others feature modern, catchy tunes. Spend time considering the exact sounds you are going for before choosing your instruments.
Sleek Appearance
While a dirty, dingy appearance may work for your punk rock band, you want to be more presentable when playing in this environment. You should avoid using any cymbals with plastic coating. They tend to look tacky and unprofessional. Instead, it would be best to consider products of higher-quality metals. They will look much better and, in most cases, sound much better.
Price
Churches usually do not have much extra pocket change to devote to buying top of the line music gear. However, you should avoid buying the cheapest ones on the market because you will often get the quality for which you pay. Your best method is to keep a limited budget in mind and look for instruments in the middle. You can easily find a product that matches decent quality at a reasonable price. If you can, you may want to consider purchasing a cymbal pack. You can get a better deal by buying more than one cymbal in a bundle.
Conclusion
Music plays an essential role in most worship services, so it would be best if you paid special attention to your choice of cymbals. While you can re-arrange many drum sets to modify the sound for a worship setting, you cannot change the sound of cymbals. You need to ensure you get an excellent cymbal pack so that the sounds will be conducive to this environment. Make your choice carefully, and you will create a drum sound that suits these beautiful spaces perfectly. Make music that will help people connect to a higher power by carefully choosing the best drumset for your church today!