The ride cymbal is a cymbal of material sustain used to maintain a beat in music. A standard in most drum kits, the ride's function is to maintain a steady pattern, sometimes called a ride pattern, rather than provide the accent of a crash cymbal. It is normally placed on the extreme right of a drum set, above the floor tom. It is often described as delivering a "shimmering" sound when struck soundly with a drumstick, and a clear ping when struck atop its bell.
A Zildjian 19" Armand Ride Cymbal
A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a definite note. Cymbals are used in many ensembles ranging from the orchestra, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands, and marching groups. Drum kits usually incorporate at least a crash, ride, or crash/ride, and a pair of hi-hat cymbals. A player of cymbals is known as a cymbalist.
Cymbal
Mesopotamian cymbals from the 3rd millennium B.C. show that the large cymbal dates back into antiquity.
Miniature from the Surname-i Vebbi (fol. 172a), showing cymbals being used in military setting by a Turkish army. Descriptions of this kind of use date as far back as the Shahnameh, circa 977-1010 A.D.
Hi-hats. The clutch suspends the top cymbal on a rod operated by a pedal.