Editing Hi-hat (section)

===Clutch===
The standard clutch uses a [[knurled]] collar partially threaded below the cymbal and a pair of knurled rings above it. The collar is tightened against the end of the thread, while the rings are tightened against each other.

{{gallery
|File:Hi-hat clutch.JPG|Tama hi-hat clutch of the traditional pattern
|File:Hi-hat clutch disassembled.JPG|The same clutch disassembled
|File:Hi-hat clutch on a cymbal.JPG|The same clutch installed on a top hi-hat cymbal
}}

====Drop clutch====
A '''drop clutch''' allows a pair of hats mounted on a conventional hi-hat stand to be closed without use of the pedal.

The drop clutch is provided with a lever that can be operated by hand or struck with a drumstick. This action releases the upper hi-hat cymbal, which falls onto the bottom cymbal and remains there, with gravity then holding the hats loosely closed, and allowing them to be played by the sticks in this position. Operation of the pedal re-engages the clutch and allows the player to resume normal playing.

Drop clutches were developed to allow players using [[double bass drum]] pedals to play closed hi-hats without needing to operate the hi-hat pedal, and this remains their primary application.

As it relies on gravity to close the cymbals, the drop clutch gives the player no control over the tension holding them together, and supplies only minimal tension. On the other hand, if the player manually lowers the top cymbal of a standard hi-hat stand before playing, this allows any desired tension to be set, and the pedal can still be used to increase the tension while playing, but not to open the hats or to reduce the tension. Some drummers prefer this technique and reject the drop clutch as too limiting to the sounds available.

In 2020, Tama introduced the Sizzle Touch Drop Clutch. This clutch, when dropped, allows the distance between the top and bottom cymbals to be adjusted via an adjustment bolt on top of the clutch. To return the clutch to functioning as a standard one, the drummer depresses the hi-hat stand's pedal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sizzle Touch Drop Clutch STDC7 {{!}} Hi-Hat Clutches {{!}} HI-HAT STAND ACCESSORIES {{!}} PRODUCTS|url=https://www.tama.com/usa/products/detail/stdc7.html|access-date=5 January 2021|website=TAMA Drums|language=en}}</ref>

A less common alternative is the locking hi-hat pedal, such as the Tama "Cobra Clutch". This and similar high-end locking pedals do allow for control over the tension. It is engaged by pressing a lock pedal separate from the main pedal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/product/hardware_data.php?id%3D18%26year%3D2012%26area%3D2 |title=&#124; TAMA Drums |access-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701172947/http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/product/hardware_data.php?id=18&year=2012&area=2|publisher=[[Tama Drums]] |archive-date=1 July 2015 }} retrieved 29 January 2012</ref>