INSTANTLY Improve ANY HiHat Sound | Stephen Taylor Drum Lesson

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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

[@koehlerdogtraining]

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

[@nicksmith2964]

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

[@trentonking1680]

It’s so true tho lmao

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

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

[@danh9843]

Thats 100% me hahaha

[@fleebab]

me foreal doe whe i started

[@rackjice2952]

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

[@tylerchin8760]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

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

[@tylerchin8760]

@@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

[@LeviGenesove]

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

[@richardwilliams1310]

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

[@milotron]

quick beats have them @@richardwilliams1310

[@Chiroman527]

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.

[@thatestpchic6995]

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 :)

[@blablablugh]

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

[@Underdog_Drums]

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

[@ad.ke.7224]

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.

[@lukasbeter6156]

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.

[@seanmadden6683]

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

[@taminatorv]

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.

[@stevesandvoss3376]

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 👍😬

[@DolkkarToyznstuff]

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!

[@toddlavigne6441]

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]

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

[@kchez5586]

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.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

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!

[@alexmanojmathews]

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

[@nwordpassifyousub2303]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Sam Smith glad it helped!

[@mikebarker9187]

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.

[@gmoney1592]

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]

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

[@gmoney1592]

Stephen Taylor I couldn’t agree more .thank u

[@FranckRogerDJ]

thx for this tips.. im just starting to learn HH .. glad I found you on my first week :-) the attack is way much better and precise

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Glad it helped!

[@LyndaWhite-ju1gj]

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

[@leeverrill]

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

[@brandonhaywood426]

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

[@gabrielsposito863]

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

[@garnilsen]

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.

[@Thomannfamily.]

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

[@gumobe55]

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]

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

[@boomerguy9935]

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.

[@manupbritain5232]

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.

[@patrickfarley8036]

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!

[@Chiroman527]

Very good video giving solid info Steve.... Nobody talks about - Tight the top hi hat should be. I saw a poster on a different KZbin=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.

[@brettself]

That changes the way I do THAT. Thanks Stephen!

[@jesteradv]

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.

[@WhoWeAre1311]

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! 😂

[@iam7bit]

Ok I dont have this knob under my hats, i gotta be creative.

[@lichkrieg4898]

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

[@johnpop5066]

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

[@Davesounds]

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

[@ILikeWafflz]

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_

[@kalmah24]

Thank you for this video. Ive been trying to make them flat to each other this whole time. I thought it was wrong they were tilted. Appreciate this and following your videos

[@gmrios]

Thank you very much. Incredibly useful information.

[@bobmizen1]

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

[@johnspeer3077]

Followed you advise and my hats sound great now thanks

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

So glad it helped john

[@alandodd3184]

Thanks muchly - now using this

[@nathancarpenter4929]

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

[@jamesfoye821]

Perfect! Thanks for the help on this!

[@albertcrowe8960]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Sure thing Albert

[@drummersdragons5287]

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]

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]

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.

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

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 👍

[@miguelsanabria2663]

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

[@donhealey6953]

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

[@TheDp1965]

Nicely done, Well explained. Spot On. Cheers.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Thanks!

[@jgdevoe]

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.

[@Euthyphro]

That X Files thing was comedic gold. Loved it.

[@bikullanc8511]

THANKS! That video really helped me

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet

[@Chrisb286]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Chris Brown You bet Chris!

[@UncleDanBand64]

Oh that's what that does😂👍

[@johnanderson2171]

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

[@vr4nin953]

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

[@Asphaltsquadron]

Great vid, thanks! I know its been 5 years haha, but I have a question. Wouldn't you want the adjuster to be facing you? Two reasons: 1- the sound will be projecting out and away. 2- if the hats are angled open facing you (as depicted here) most of the sound coming out is projecting back to the player. Also, wont that chew up sticks faster? Your thoughts, Thanks!!

[@blade123able]

Cheers for the advice mate

[@karenhanania9014]

Interesting and helpful. Thank you!

[@ilias-lakisservos7801]

Thank you Stephen. Very helpfull.

[@nedmar423]

Very good. Thanks for the tip!

[@BadgerDrums]

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

[@NocturnusMortem]

I needed this so much! thanks man!

[@hypnosis4207]

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

[@hegyesmaugli]

This is super useful and super underrated

[@MitchieMitchMitchell]

Finally a proper explanation, thanks!👍

[@simonwoodward476]

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

[@grahammonroe4998]

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?

[@waynekerr966]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

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

[@waynekerr966]

So glad that I found your channel! =)

[@RichDucat]

Such a big help for me.. Thanks 🙌

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet

[@jujuloopoker5883]

Massive help thank you! ❤

[@blucat63]

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

[@jpurvis1]

Thanks dude. Learned something new today.

[@Guitaristlife-dn9ou]

0:21 I sometimes turned that knob on my old acoustic drums

[@tobyross4156]

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

[@kimb7970]

5 Years Later - Lol So we just purchased our 10 year old grandson a junior drum set. I've been trying to figure out the high hat adjustment. So, like you say, I've been twisting and turning the knobs.Just because they were there not knowing what I was doing. So thanks for the tips

[@karichurchilllaidman7391]

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 🥁❤️👍

[@82mgranados]

Thanks a lot for the awesome video.

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

You bet Miguel

[@ikrammaududi6205]

Thanks, nice info

[@cj_ssfsm]

Very goood. That beard though🐐

[@ag-uo2rx]

I have been practicing my hihat for my cumbias and boledos when i step on it l was not getting a desent sound it had a soft sound and really could not hear it over my cowbell. Thanks

[@kwiksand]

I hate that "cupping" sound. I switched to Paiste Sound Edge hats 20 years ago and never looked back. I run them as flat as possible. Zero cupping sound. Great video though.

[@salvadorvelazquez415]

Nice , I have the regular 14 ‘ rude series paiste hihats but the sound edge sound a bit higher or sizzlyy

[@dirtyjunk7397]

This saved me $ from buying a different pair of hi-hats thinking mine were the problem...turns out it was this screw all along! thank you so much!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

I love it. So glad it helped my friend

[@deanrussell5901]

Thank you for this!

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

Dean Russell you bet Dean

[@WayneChurchill-zd3pm]

Great info thank you

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

i figured that out decades ago, but i always thought the hats were supposed to catch each other square 🤔 maybe i'll start playing around with this again. and in recent years my hats don't retain air because i drill holes into them anyway 😂 necessity is the mother of invention.

[@johnkroner4248]

That is why I use sound edge hats or bottom hi-hat cymbal with air vents.

[@Mr.Derpis]

Late to the hi hat party but thanks for the content!

[@deepbluntman___8650]

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

[@udosmidt4133]

Thanks, nice Tipp.

[@khschuler913]

It should also be mentioned , that bottom cymbals with holes like some of the Zildjian Hi Hat cymbals prevent choking of the sound since no air gets trapped between both cymbals . They sound great without any adjustment. Unfortunately their manufacturing cost is higher and now hard to find unless you get second hand cymbals .

[@MrConfo]

I've tested Ufip Ritmo with Bottom holes, sound and precision were great.

[@AnthonyRDrums]

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!

[@allancueto22]

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

[@thomaskleinhans2384]

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

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

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

[@coiLz0r911]

15+ years and now I know what that's for. Thanks man :'D

[@StephenTaylorDrums]

GRiLL Never too late! Lol

[@coiLz0r911]

@@StephenTaylorDrums True. I guess there's no point in going on tilt because of this. Okok I'll show myself out