How To Choose Drumsticks

If you want to drum, you need drumsticks. But which kind? There are a variety of factors that go into choosing a good set of drumsticks. Consider the following when you're shopping.

Step 1  

Choose the right wood. Drumsticks are usually made of maple, hickory, or oak. Each has a slightly different feel. The feel has to do with how the stick transmits or absorbs vibration and how much it flexes.  

• Hickory is a common, well rounded wood for drumsticks.
• Maple is a lighter, more flexible wood.
• Oak is densest but transmits vibrations more. It tends to be more durable.

Step 2  

Choose the right tips. The tips of drumsticks change the sound.  

• Plastic tips make cymbals sound terrific. They give the drums a "Pow!" sound. 
• Wooden tips (the most common), give drums a deeper, more traditional sound fit for jazz and older rock styles. These don't make the cymbals ring as much, or are considered not as bright. 

Step 3  

Choose the thickness. The thickness also changes the sound. Higher numbers represent thinner sticks, but thickness is not completely consistent between brands.  

• 7As are thinner and lighter. They give more of a marching band sound on trap kit, although they would rarely be used for drum chops, which would favor a much heavier stick. They are often used by beginning jazz students.
• 5Bs are thicker, more intense drumsticks. Often Used in Rock.
• 2Bs are especially thick. often used in Heavy Metal.

Step 4  

Try them. Especially if you're choosing a new kind of drumstick or a brand or size you haven't used before, ask if you can try them. Try them gently on a practice pad so that if you choose something else, the store can still sell them, but try them enough to get a feel for their weight, springiness, and balance.

Tips

• Chances are you'll go through multiple pairs of sticks as you play. If you're on the fence about which kind you want, try a few different kinds along the way. You'll discover what's right for you.
• You may want to use different sizes or types for different styles of playing.
• Once you know what you want, buy a big pack of drumsticks. It really pays for itself.
• If you play metal, you might want to get the 5Bs.
• If you want to give your drumming a more orchestral or "epic" sound, you may try wrapping hockey tape around the part of the stick used to crash the cymbal. This gives the cymbal less attack, but more or less the same amount of sustain resulting in a crescendo-like sound. The difference in how you affect the envelope (that is, the attack and sustain), is dependant on how much you tape it up.
• If you're wondering how some jazz drummers get that swishy sound on the snare drum and ride cymbal, you'll want to buy a pair of brushes. Brushes have retractable thin metal wires that are mainly used to provide a quiet backbeat, and sound completely different from a stick.
• If you're in a band or about to be, ask your instructor, director, or section leader if there is a certain size or type of sticks you should have to be consistent with others in your group.
• Try out new innovations from time to time. Zildjian now offers a shock-absorbing rubber core, for instance. 
• Don't limit yourself to just wood. If you are a power player and break sticks frequently, first check your playing style to make sure your form is correct, then go check out graphite sticks. They aren't for everyone and they also have a different sound.
• Also, start out with a really fat pair of sticks (2a or larger) to build up wrist strength then drop down to a lighter pair when doing a gig. Eventually you can do away with the heavy pair.
• As always when playing drums, wear protection such as ear plugs. Snares in particular were designed to be extremely loud (to carry across entire battlefields), but are played very near YOUR head and ears. You want still to be able to hear music and conversations when you are 80! Many drummers start noticing hearing loss in their 50s and belatedly start wearing protection then. Don't let this happen to you!

Warnings

• Uneven sticks don't have a good sound, so make sure the sticks you buy are even. To detect uneven sticks, roll the sticks on the floor and look at the top. If the top goes up and down, they must be uneven.
• Don't let drumstick splinters get everywhere if (when) they break!
• Be sure you place your set in a way that if the worst should happen (a stick breaks) that the tip won't fly off and hit someone in the audience. They can do damage! Your band members, on the other hand, will have to fend for themselves.
• Watch your form! Sticks breaking frequently typically is a sign that you are doing something wrong. Many drummers develop wrist problems by not using good form.