Are cymbals hard to learn? It just seems that they could be kind of boring if that is the only thing you are doing. I would probably lose interest after a while.

Playing cymbals may appear to be a simple task however it does take a great deal of talent as well as rhythm. There are more things to do with cymbals and more styles of them than what most imagine.

I guess I just picture someone sitting there only playing a couple notes in a song. I am not knocking a cymbal player at all. I just don't think it would be something I would get into.

loveofmusic, I apologize for making an assumption, but I'm going to assume based on your previous posts that you've generally seen marching bands or high school bands. Outside of that, in orchestras, wind symphonies, or other groups, the "cymbal player" is just one of the many duties of being a percussionist. Groups generally have about 1-2 percussionists for every 20 people in the group, give or take another few depending on the kind of piece they're playing. The only position in the percussion department in a group that is stationary (i.e. That's all he does for the concert) is the timpani. Every other percussionist is required not only to know and understand cymbals, but also snare, bells, glockenspiel, gong, bass drum, xylophone, marimba, etc. etc. etc. I could probably list a solid 4 or 5 pages of instruments that he or she might have to play. Check out a community orchestra, or a major ensemble if you have one in your area and you get the chance, and watch the percussionists. They're all over the place!

To add to what Shack said percussionist gigs pay well but most require you to be able to sing as well. In California there is a big demand for a good percussionist. My son has had a lot of fun with it and has made some good money while doing it. The thing is it is the opposite of boring because of the number of instruments and the styles of music. You should look into it you may like it. My son got started in high school he played sax and was board his first year because he had to take the regular music class for a year before being eligible for jazz band. So while waiting for others to learn their parts he started experimenting with other instruments and found that he liked learning new instruments although he mostly plays drums now but he still likes adding in other percussion instruments with good success.