Setting Up a High-Hat

• Open the three-legged base of your high-hat stand, place it on the floor and connect the pedal. Slide the cushioning pad onto the long metal spindle at the top of the base until it rests against where the spindle enters the base's neck; the cushioning material on the pad should face upwards. Slide your bottom high-hat stand cymbal onto the spindle bell-down to rest against the pad.
  
  

Customize Your High-Hat

• Thread the small clutch mechanism that came with your high-hat through the hole in the top high-hat cymbal's bell and tighten securely. Slide the completed top cymbal down the spindle until it meets the bottom cymbal.
  
  Customize your high-hat; if you need quick closing-response from your high-hat, position it relatively close (1/4 inch to 1 inch) to the bottom head and leave the clutch securely tightened. This setup is ideal for music styles like funk and jazz, which require rapid, staccato high-hat hits. The heavier, looser style of rock or grunge would be better suited by opening the width between your cymbals to at least 2 inches or more and loosening the clutch to allow your high-hat to make more noise for each hit.
  
  Experiment with the settings on your high-hat to find the perfect sound for you and the music you play.