The single most important piece of equipment that you as a drummer use to express yourself on your instrument are the implements used to strike the drum or other percussion instruments being played.  Those implements are an extension of your hand, wrist and fingers and the connection between you and the instrument.  They should be doing most of the work for you and they should feel good and comfortable in your hands.

The old saying “the right tool for the right job” really applies to the selection of striking implements when playing percussion instruments. As a carpenter, you would not use a heavy framing hammer to attach and finish the trim to your kitchen cabinets.  Nor would you try to use a small finishing hammer to pound a 20penny nail through a wall stud into a 4 x 6 joist.  You need the right tool for the job and that means many different types of striking implements in the stick bag.

Let’s narrow our discussion to drumsticks and drums and examine the character, composition and structure of the drumstick.  To play your best you want to find the sticks that provides that comfort level that allows you to forget the stick and concentrate on the music.  There’s a “right” stick for every player and every style and type of music.  How do you determine what might be right for you and your playing situation?  A drum stick’s diameter, length, weight, type of wood, taper, tip, and finish all determine the way it feels in your hand and these days there are a dizzying array of available drumstick choices available to choose from.  So lets examine what makes a drumstick a drumstick!

WOOD

Probably the most important factor in determining the feel of a drum stick is the type of wood it is made of. The three most common types of wood used to make drumsticks are oak, hickory, and maple. Each differs in weight, density and texture, resonance and flexibility.  Be aware that there are many other types of wood used for specialty sicks such as: beech, ebony, rosewood, birch and persimmon.

Oak has a very dense wood grain, is the heaviest and darkest looking wood of the three wood types.  It is less resonant and is the least flexible of the three common drumstick woods. Oak sticks are durable and usually last longer than sticks made of other types of wood.

American Hickory is the most popular wood for drumsticks and looks lighter than oak. It’s density, weight and grain is less than that of oak which produces a responsive, resilient and sturdy drumstick that has good shock absorption qualities.

Maple is a very light wood and allows for a large diameter stick without the weight. This produces a very resonant and flexible drumstick.  Small maple sticks are perfect for light, subtle playing.

Some drummers prefer sticks made out of synthetic materials because of durability (the material is stronger than wood therefore it lasts longer) and shock absorption (the shock of the impact on a cymbal or drum is reduced before it reaches the hands.)  While these types of drumsticks may last longer than wood sticks they have a very unnatural feel and sometime the balance point can be elusive.

LENGTH

The next most important characteristic of a drumstick that will determine feel is overall length.  The length of the stick affects the balance and location of the fulcrum point.  Longer sticks give greater reach and leverage while shorter sticks are easier to control and tend to feel quicker. The average size of a drumstick is about 16 inches long although drumsticks designed for marching are usually longer and have bigger diameters.

DIAMETER

Next on the most important features list is the diameter of the drumstick.  The diameter of a stick is the most noticeable factor in determining the overall feel of the stick in your hand.  The size of your hand paired with the diameter and length (and weight) of the stick will determine how good the stick feels to you. The average diameters of the most common drumsticks is .592 inches.

The length and diameter of the stick are the main factors of defining the size classification of the stick.

 SIZE

Generally drumsticks were and still are classified into categories using a number and a letter such as 7A, 5B and 2S.  It is believed that these numbers and letters were first used for inventory purposes by the Ludwig drum company which began mass producing drumsticks in 1917.

The numerical portion signifies the circumference of the stick. In general, the lower the number the larger circumference, and the greater the number the smaller the circumference. For example, the 7A is smaller in circumference than a 5A which in turn is narrower than the 2B. The exception is the 3S, which is larger in circumference than a 2B despite its number.

The letter suffixes “S,” “B“, and “A” originally indicated the recommended application.

“S“  model sticks were designed for “street” applications such as drum corps  and marching band. These large sticks were designed for the louder  volume and projection needed for hese uses.

“B“  model sticks were intended for “band” applications such as brass bands  and symphonic bands. With a smaller circumference than the “S” models,  they were easier to control and thus especially popular with beginning  drummers. 2Bs continue to be recommended by drum teachers everywhere as  perfect starter sticks.

“A“  stands for Orchestra. “A” model sticks were designed for big band or  dance type orchestras. They’re smaller in circumference than “B” series  sticks and lend themselves well for softer type playing. These sticks  continue to be very popular with many jazz and rock players.

If  “S” stands for Street and “B” stands for Band, why does “A” stand for  Orchestra, you might ask. This anomaly has been credited to Ludwig Drum  Company founder William F. Ludwig, Sr., who reportedly chose the “A“  designation because it printed better and he simply preferred the letter  A to O. The designation has continued to be used to this day.

Different sticks are suitable for different playing styles. For example:

• 7A sticks are a common choice for jazz players due to their lighter weight and fast feel and response.  They are thin and subtle and expressive and are ideal for lighter play and smaller hands.
• 5A sticks are great for almost any style of music.  They are medium sized in weight and diameter and are sturdy and versatile.  They are the most popular size among players.
• 5B sticks are heavier in weight and wider in diameter then a 5A. They are very durable, loud and supports heavy cymbal use.  They are ideal for harder play.
• 2B sticks are extra-heavy and thicker and are commonly used by harder-hitting rock players.  They are solid and powerful and provide maximum impact for very heavy playing.  The 2B sized stick is often recommended for beginning students and concert band applications and is a common practice stick.
• 3S sticks are also heavier and thicker than a 5B and have a very powerful sound.  The increased size provides greater projection for indoor and outdoor marching.

Most drumstick manufacturers have many different models of sticks available (a lot more than the average sizes mentioned above.) Also, many well known drummers have their own custom signature sticks available through the company they endorse.

You will end up with several different models in your stick bag and will use different sized sticks for different venues, bands and even different songs with the same band.  These are just guidelines and it is ultimately up to you to choose the right stick for your situation.

SHAPE

The parts of a drumstick are show labeled below.  Each of these parts define the shape of the stick and has a big affect on the feel and sound the stick produces.

BUTT

Center-less grinding is used to shape a rounded butt-end of the stick.  This shape is more comfortable in the hand and creates a fuller tone then the tip of the stick when played on the drums and cymbals.

SHAFT

The main component of the stick is all about the grain, density and type of wood used.  It is affected by the length of the overall taper of the stick.  It is the area of the stick that takes the heaviest impact when using rim shots.

SHOULDER

The length of the shoulder (where the stick tapers off from the shaft) and the diameter of where it meets the tip determine how quickly the stick rebounds off of drums and cymbals. This can affect tone and volume. A long, narrow taper is fast and responsive. A short, quick taper is front heavy with less rebound. A stick with no taper gives very little rebound.

TIP

The size of the tip’s point of contact with the instrument determines tone and articulation.  The differences can be very subtle. The same tip shape (round for example) can sound and feel quiet different depending on its size.  Small tips produce brighter and focused sound while a larger version of the same tip will “fatten up” the projection and overtones and add volume. Tips are made of either wood or nylon. Wood tips produce a warmer sound and nylon tips sound brighter and are more durable.  Tip shapes dramatically affect the type of sound the stick will produce since they are the part of the stick that makes the most contact. The shape of the tip is the major determining factor on the sound of the stick, when played on cymbals. Common tip shapes include:

Small Round: Bright, clear tone.  Ideal for jazz and cymbal play.

Oval: Dark, warm tone.  Suited for multiple applications.

Teardrop: Full, rich tone.  Ideal for rock and full band play.

Acorn: Dark tone.  Ideal for acoustic performance.

Large Round: Bright, clear and loud. Articulate on cymbal bell.

Barrel: Broad, clear tone.  Ideal for live performance.

Butt: Thick, solid tone.  Ideal for heavy play.

Arrowhead: Light, sharp tone.  Angles enable versatility in play for multiple tonalities.

FINISH

A stick’s finish affects its grip and feel. Lacquered sticks, the choice of most drummers, are smooth to the touch and help reduce blisters and chafing. Some drummers prefer the feel of a natural uncoated stick.  The stick is lightly sanded but has a “raw” feel for improved gripping. Some drummers use grip tape on the end of their sticks to improve the feel of their grip.

SPECIALTY STICKS

For quieter situations, you can use brushes or dowel rod type sticks. Brushes are wire or nylon strands attached to the grip handle of a drumstick. (Brushes have a playing technique all their own.) Dowel rods are bundles of wooden rods that produce a sound louder than brushes but not as loud as a regular stick. Also, mallets (sticks with a felt or yarn ball at the tip) produce a muted sound on the drums and are great for cymbal rolls.

HOW TO CHOOSE A STICK

When buying sticks you want each stick in a pair to be identical. Modern stick manufactures use computer aided methods to ensure their stick paris are matched in weight, length, and straightness.   Check to see that they are the same length and made of the same material.  Make sure they weigh the same by using the same hand to make a stroke with each stick on a hard surface. They should produce the same sound. Check each drumstick for straightness by rolling the stick on a hard, flat surface. If the stick wobbles as you roll it, then it is not straight.

CONCLUSION

There is no “one size fits all” drumstick for every drummer. I hope this information helps you to choose the right stick for your playing situation. In the end it comes down to what feels the best and most comfortable in your hand.

I welcome your comments and feedback on this article.