The hi-hat is by far the most essential cymbal in any drum kit since it's almost continuously played to keep the beat alongside the kick drum. A hi-hat is a stack of two cymbals mounted on a specially designed, pedal-controlled stand that can either press the cymbals together for an open sound, or pull them apart for a closed sound.
Hi-Hat Cymbals: The Sound
Once you know how to spot it, the hi-hat has an immediately recognisable sound that's varied by the distance between the upper and lower hat. When set to 'open', hi-hats have a long sizzle-like sound to them, and when 'closed' they have a short and crisp 'chick' to them. By pushing a hi-hat pedal down halfway or quickly tapping the pedal to shut the hats together you can produce other percussive effects.
Getting the Right Sized Hi-Hat
The most commonly used hi-hats have a 14 inch diameter, but they come in a broad spectrum of different sizes, forms, and therefore with a different sound - so the best set of hats are the ones that give you the sound you want. The material that any hi-hat is made from will also influence the colour of sound. Then you can get hi-hats with perforated bows or even sets including a warped lower hat.
Hi-Hat Stands
To set up your hi-hat, you'll always need a hi-hat stand which has a spring-loaded foot pedal for closing and opening the hi-hat. The pedal is always in the up position, keeping the hi-hat open, so by pressing on the pedal, the upper cymbal is pushed down against the lower cymbal to close the hi-hat. When the pedal is released, the hi-hat opens again. Besides stands, you can find more helpful bits and pieces in our range of hi-hat accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hi-Hats
What does a hi-hat do?
The hi-hat is used by a drummer to keep the tempo of a beat.
What's the difference between a cymbal and a hi-hat?
The hi-hat is a standard part of any drum kit and is actually a stack of two cymbals that can be played either open or closed depending on how you toggle the hi-hat pedal. Other cymbals like crashes are single cymbals used to add accents and effects.
What does a hi-hat sound like?
A hi-hat can make a range of different sounds depending on how it's played. When closed, it delivers a short and crisp 'chick' and when open, it delivers a more sizzling, sustained sound.
How does a hi-hat make sound?
Hi-hats are actually a stack of two cymbals that only work when mounted on a special hi-hat stand. The stand is fitted with a pedal which can be pushed down to shift the upper hat up, pulling it away from the lower hat, or released to close the two hats together.
Where should you put the hi-hat?
Right-handed drummers usually prefer to have their hi-hat set up on the left of the snare when sitting at their kit. Most left-handed drummers prefer it set up on the right.
