How to Adjust a High Hat

How to Adjust a High Hat
Written By
Nichole Liandi
Nichole Liandi
Published: May 29, 2008
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
1 minute read

One of the essential parts of any drum set is the high hat--it's one of the most used portions of the kit. Here's a quick and easy primer on how to adjust your high hat to get the best performance and sound.

Ludwig Drum Company

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • High Hat Stand
  • High Hat Cymbals (Pair)
  • Assemble your high hat stand, with cymbals, and place it to the left of the snare drum as you're sitting behind the drum kit. Adjust the height of the stand so that the cymbals are 6 to 8 inches above the level of the snare drum.

    Once the height is adjusted, place your foot on the high hat pedal and move the high hat so your leg is bent at a 90-degree angle.

    Take your foot off the pedal, and adjust the top cymbal so that it's about 1/2 to 1 inch above the lower cymbal. Tighten the thumb screw holding the cymbal, and press down on the pedal so the cymbals close together. They should close tightly.

    Nichole Liandi

    Based in Virginia, Nichole Liandi has been a freelance writer since 2005. Her articles have appeared on various print and online publications. Liandi has traveled extensively in Europe and East Asia and incorporates her experiences into…

    Sponsored
    Our Pastimes Logo

    A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

    Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

    Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.