Of course the best thing to prolong the life of your cymbals is to play with proper technique. For more information on this, see our section on proper technique.

Storage and transportation are also big factors in prolonging the life of your cymbals. You want to avoid laying a cymbal on its edge whenever possible. You want to lay it flat on a smooth surface. Avoid laying it on any rough surfaces like cement. It only takes a small nick to create a huge crack. It's also a good idea to keep it away from foot traffic. You would not want your cymbals to be stepped on. Avoid having any cymbal in extreme temperatures as well. When placing the cymbals in a cymbal bag or case, it is a good idea to separate the cymbals with a soft material or plastic sleeve so they are not touching each other.

Another thing to keep in mind is choosing the right cymbal based on playing style. For example, a paper thin crash would probably not be the best option for a heavy hitter.