Cymbals and drums parallel to the ground?

[Jax]

I noticed a trend where many drummers setup their drums and cymbals parallel to the ground. IOW, they're hitting a flat, non-angled playing surface.

Why would a drummer want to have everything setup parallel to the ground?

I've tried this and it sounds and feels a little different, but I'm not getting what the point would be. Maybe it helps achieve a more even stroke? Better somehow for recording purposes? I dunno.

[Digitar]

Jax, The first drummer that had that approach that I noticed was Bill Bruford. Someone called it a symmetrical set-up.

He has the Snare, Kick and Hi-Hat Pedal in the standard place with a remote Hi-Hat directly behind the Snare and with 2 toms on either side of the snare. Kind of like a drumline set-up in a Marching Band. He has a cymbal directly behind and over each drum.

As you probably know he's always been on the cutting edge of drum set-ups with Yes and King Crimson, as well as his Solo Band.

[analogboy]

I always like to have my cymbals level, but honestly, its mostly a looks thing for me. I just think it looks cleaner, more controlled if you will, which I like.

[chrisso]

I think it's all about looks.
Not my cup of tea.

[Jax]

If it's only for looks, I'd call it pointless. I'll take ergonomics over looks.

Could be worse, like in the 80's when drummers had their crashes way up high so they could be "seen."

[acousticmaniac]

Originally Posted by Jax

If it's only for looks, I'd call it pointless. I'll take ergonomics over looks.

Could be worse, like in the 80's when drummers had their crashes way up high so they could be "seen."

I think John Stanier has taken that to a whole new level!

I know a couple of great players who have their kits pretty much parallel to the ground. They tend to sit above and over the kit rather 'in it' if that makes sense. One thing I've noticed is they are a hell of alot louder!!

[joeq]

Many players feel a level surface gives them cleaner, more consistent stick technique. Play the kit the way they play the pad or the snare - most practice pads are fairly level.

when I used to use triggers live, it seemed to me that my triggering was more consistent on level drums

You can be more "wristy" with flat drums, I think. Some also find it easier to make clean rimshots on the rack toms. A steeply tilted drum requires a bit more contortion to get the low angle, because the hands are already at a low angle- if that makes any sense

the downside is that greater arm movement is required to move around the set.

[Artglfr]

I keep my snare parallel but the cymbals and other drums are all angled. I angle my cymbals so i get a waterfall type effect going from high to low.

The cymbals that people use flat probably do sound great and there is less chance of "keyholing" a cymbal...though today i imagine most of us use tubing or something to protect our cymbals.

[Digitar]

According to Bill Bruford he finds the movement to the left to find the high tom easier than moving forward and up, as on a standard set. Getting rid of the right hand over left to reach the high-hat movement, really opens up the left side of the kit. A disadvantage is you have to have a remote hi-hat.

[Jimbo]

I keep my cymbals parallel to the floor. This does two things:
1. allows the cymbal to ring uniformly (and sound better)
2. provides the most options for stick attack.

The second is especially important for my because occasionally I'll ride/crash the ride cymbal with the side of the stick.

[bungletronics]

I've always though it to be strange myself. Mike Bordin has pulled it off well though.