Selecting your Drumsticks is a process that is more involved than you may think. Here are some things to consider when stick shopping-
What type of band will you be playing in? If it’s a heavy metal band or a marching band, you’ll need thicker drumsticks to withstand the heavy abuse they will take. Sticks come in all different sizes.
Larger drumsticks are normally a 5B or 2B size (2B is larger) and will usually last much longer. If you play in a jazz band or low-volume band, you will want to go with a smaller stick size. A 7A (very thin) or a 5A (standard) will suffice. Of course, if you play many styles, you may find that a 5B is the most suited for you because it is versatile.
What type of tips are you looking for? Years ago, there were only wood tip drumsticks.
The problem was that they often chipped and spintered away with wear/tear. The nylon tip was developed and is now one of the standards in drumming.
What type of wood is best? There are advantages and disadvantages to various
wood types for drumsticks. The most common are Maple, Hickory, and Oak. Some lighter-weight maple sticks
tend to snap a little easier so many drummers don’t like them. Oak or Hickory on the other hand are a
bit more sturdy and widely accepted as reliable and able to hold up to long term, rigorous drumming.
How do the drumsticks feel? This is one of the most important questions a drummer should ask themselves involving their sticks. Ultimately, we want them to feel good in our hands. Drumsticks become a part of us when we play. They are an extension of our limbs and they must feel right or we won’t be comfortable.
Recently:
- The Drummer’s Collective- 12/18/08
- Today’s Practice Exercises-
- Great Author- David Baldacci
- Choosing a Drum-Throne: Important Topic!!!
- Update AKA What I’ve Been Doing In My Time Off-
- The Importance Of Using a Metronome.
- Drumstick Shopping.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
