Are you talking about cymbals used in a marching or concert band? Those type of cymbals can be used by anyone old enough to lift them, but there is a definite technique to "crashing" them that has to be taught. You don't just bang them together like pie pans. As for cymbals used with a drum set,it depends on how accomplished the player is. I know one 14-year-old who has been playing drum set since he was 5, so there's obviously no age limit if you can find a teacher who thinks you're ready. Most kids begin playing drums around 4th grade, when schools start to offer music lessons, but most elementary school bands use only snare and bass drum (an many don't use basses. You might find some elementary bands using concert cymbals or a ride cymbal, but most schools avoid that. Obvoiusly, youth symphonies that have kids playing from the age of 12 have drummers who use cymbals, so that's a good way to get to play cymbals. Very few have a "cymbal specialist," though.
Most drum teachers demand that you know your rudiments and have a good sense of time and rhythm before they will allow you to switch to playing a set. Even then, many will limit cymbals to one or two until you develop hand & foot independence.
Edited by Laklander (12/01/09 12:38 PM)
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"Bass is the foundation of the band." -- William Murderface, Dethklok bassist
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