A hi-hat, or hihat, is a type of cymbal and stand used as a typical part of a drum kit by percussionists in disco, jazz, rock and roll, and other forms of contemporary popular music.

 

The hi-hat consists of two crash cymbals that are mounted on a stand one on top of the other and clashed together using a pedal on the stand. A narrow metal shaft or "hi-hat rod" runs through both cymbals into a hollow tube and connects to the pedal. The top cymbal is connected to the rod with a "hi-hat clutch" while the bottom cymbal remains stationary resting on the hollow tube.

When the "footplate" of the pedal is pressed, the top cymbal crashes onto the bottom cymbal (closed hi-hat). When released, the top cymbal returns to its original position above the bottom cymbal (open hi-hat). A "tension unit" controls the amount of pressure required to lower the top cymbal, and how fast it returns to its open position.