How to choose drumsticks? Do-it-yourself drums: step-by-step instructions, device, tips on what to make drumsticks from

08.03.2020

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In today's post we will return a little to the basics of drumming and talk about their structure, features and recommendations for selection.

It would seem that sticks are essentially just an insensitive extension of your hand, which transfers the energy of the swing to the head of the drum, but not so little depends on this wooden twig, because your overall sound, speed, and comfort when playing.

So, let's begin our educational program:

STRUCTURE OF STICKS

Komel- wand balance area.

Body - the largest part sticks, serving as a gripping point and striking part for rim shots.

Shoulder- area of the stick often used for crash and return hits. Alternating blows with the end of the stick and the shoulder on the hi-hat creates the basis for keeping the rhythm.
Thinning is the shape of the shoulder. The length and thickness of the taper affects the flexibility, feel and sound of the stick. Sticks with a short, thick taper feel more rigid, provide greater durability, and produce a stronger sound than sticks with a long, narrow taper, which tend to be more fragile and flexible but sound more delicate.

Neck plays the role of transition of the stick from the shoulder to the tip and allows you to identify the point of the beginning of the tip and the end of the shoulder of the stick. Thus, it serves as a connecting link between the tip and the shoulder. The shape of the neck is determined by the shape of the shoulder and tip.

Tips there are drum sticks various shapes and sizes. The intensity, volume and duration of the sound produced depends on the size of the head.
There are so many shapes of tips that sometimes accurately grouping sticks by type of tip is far from an easy task. In addition to variations in shape, tips can vary in length, size, processing, and material. There are 8 main types of tips.

Style, scope - jazz, funk, fusion, blues, groove, swing, etc.

Peculiarities: It has a larger contact area with the plastic than a round one, which spares the plastic and, as it were, “dulls” errors in sound production. Creates a medium-filled sound with a wider focus. Produces a less bright and accentuated cymbal sound compared to a round tip. Recommended for beginner drummers.

Style, scope - Perfect for studio work, playing in a symphony orchestra, as well as for playing light jazz, both with a symmetrical and traditional grip of the sticks.

Peculiarities: Focuses the sound (which is clearly visible when playing cymbals) and significantly reduces the change in sound when struck at different angles of the stick.
Suitable for bright playing and clear sound production.
The small round tip produces a highly focused sound and is especially gentle on cymbals. Sticks with a larger rounded part of such a tip produce a fuller sound.
Such a tip “does not tolerate” errors in sound production and is suitable for use by drummers with a correctly placed blow.

Style, scope - light rock, jazz, funk, fusion, blues, groove, etc.

Peculiarities: It has a larger contact area with the plastic than a round one, which spares the plastic and, as it were, “dulls” errors in sound production.
Creates a medium-filled sound with a wider focus.
Produces a less bright and accentuated cymbal sound compared to a round tip.
Recommended for beginner drummers.

Style, scope - An excellent choice for drummers playing different styles– from rock and metal to jazz and pop music. Often used for such styles as: rock, rock’n’roll, hard rock smooth jazz, swing, ambient, easy listening, etc.

Peculiarities: Primarily designed for powerful, rhythmic and loud game.

Due to large area contact with plastic produces a dull, muffled, open, diffuse, not sharp sound.
Also suitable for soft calm game. Produces a dull medium sound attack.

Style, scope - trash metal, gothik metal, hard metal, rock, jazz, fusion, swing, etc. with big amount down-beats on cymbals.

Peculiarities: Thanks to rounded shape performs well when playing quickly in the style of speed metal. This tip is recommended for teaching primary hand positioning.
Perfect for alternating quick game up-down and slow, using concentrated (directed) hits on both the cymbals and drums for a soft, focused sound production.
Thanks to the “convexity”, it allows you to control the sound and area of contact with the surface of the instruments in a very wide range, depending on the angle of inclination of the stick to the surface of the instrument.
This tip produces a full low sound and spreads the energy over a wider area (compared to a round or triangle tip), thus increasing the life of heads. A good choice for those who play hard. Gives a rich sound when playing cymbals.

Style, scope - rock, metal, pops, marsh, etc.

Peculiarities: Suitable for loud, heavily accented playing with a powerful sound attack. Recommended for marching drums, for performances on large stages and stadiums.

Style, scope - swing, jazz, blues, fusion, etc. Often the choice is jazz drummers. Light and fast sticks with such a tip - perfect choice for playing in an orchestra and jazz ensemble.

Peculiarities: Produces a full, high-pitched sound, spreading energy over a narrower area; Produces a rich cymbal sound and a focused sound attack.
Recommended for dull-sounding accents when played at slow to medium tempos.
It has a good rebound and is designed for clear and sharp strikes.
Perfect for soft, accentuated sound production, especially with an unconventional grip.
With a straight grip, it is ideal for dimly emphasizing the ride cymbal with up-down strokes, for example, when maintaining a swing rhythm with the head of the stick.
Also recommended for performing heavy speed-metal and especially for training exercises.

Style, scope - rock, metal, pops, funk, swing, jungle, blues, etc.

Peculiarities: Produces quite bright, powerful sound with a small attack. Shows a good degree of clarity and articulation when hitting the ride cymbal.
Good for sudden transitions from powerful loud playing to quiet rhythmic dim pulsation.
Excellent for both traditional and parallel grip.

SELECTION OF STICKS

The choice of sticks depends on what kind of music (rock, jazz, metal, pops or classical) you will play. The choice of material, size, shape and tip is largely a matter of personal preference.

The stick should feel comfortable in your hand and be suitable for producing the sound you want to achieve. For example, 7A sticks may be good for a small venue concert, but completely unsuitable for a street drum band.

Choose sticks that are comfortable in your hands and suit your playing style. Feel the sticks. Hold them in your hands.

The size of the stick should match your hand, both in diameter and length (often the length of a suitable stick is determined by the distance from the inner bend of the elbow to the tip ring finger). If the sticks “sit” comfortably in the palm of your hand, then you will be able to extract exactly the sound you want from the drum.

Try several various models sticks for comparison before you decide to buy something specific. Once you have gained enough experience in playing the drum, you will probably find a certain brand and ideal model that is best suited for you.

Factors needed when choosing sticks:

Wood species. From the right choice The wood will affect the sound and durability of the sticks. The texture of the wood should not be clearly expressed, otherwise such sticks will quickly break.

Wood structure(dense, soft); The wear of the sticks depends on it.

Wood hardness- resistance of wood to change in shape (deformation) or destruction in surface layer under force influences. Hardwoods give a brighter tone, more attack and spread, which many people like.

Density- the ratio of the mass of wood (the amount of wood substance) to its volume. Density is the most important indicator of strength: the heavier the tree, the greater density and strength it has.

No two trees are the same, hence the density of a tree varies from log to log and even within a log itself. This explains why some poles feel solid and powerful while others feel hollow, even though they are the same brand and model.

The density of wood also depends on its moisture content.

Treatment. By finishing there are sticks:

Polished, without any covering. During the grinding process, significant irregularities are removed from the surface of the sticks with abrasive materials, usually sandpaper. At the same time, the natural roughness of the wood texture is preserved, which contributes to better adhesion between the hand and the stick, as well as the absorption of excess moisture. But at the same time, such sticks are more susceptible to destruction, unlike varnished ones.

Lacquered. Transparent varnish coatings protect wood from moisture and dust, give the surface a beautiful, intense, even shine and contrast to the texture. Coating the sticks with varnish makes their surface more durable. Lacquered sticks look a little worse than polished ones.

Polished. Upper class finishing of sticks is polishing - leveling the layers of varnish previously applied to the surface and giving the wood a clearly visible texture. When polishing, the surface of the sticks becomes durable, mirror-smooth and shiny by applying thinnest layers polish - an alcohol solution of resin of plant origin.

Some drummers don't like varnished or polished sticks because they can slip out of sweaty hands when playing.

Wood moisture content - percentage moisture in wood.
As a rule, a freshly felled tree contains up to 50% - 60% moisture, then it dries out by itself by 12 - 16%, after which the moisture content of the wood is stabilized once and for all. That is why it is extremely important, before the wood is put into processing, to subject it to artificial drying to the optimal moisture level. Typically, wood for the production of sticks is dried within the range of 6 - 14% humidity. On average, the entire drying process takes two weeks. But exact time aging and drying are not prescribed anywhere, and this is the secret of each manufacturer, who himself determines what degree of wood moisture content he needs in order to process it on machines and obtain required quality sticks.

At the exit from production, sticks require low humidity, since wood “breathes”, and the amount of moisture in it will constantly change depending on air humidity environment. Thus, the sticks will shrink and swell with changes in climate and humidity, but to what extent depends on how the wood was dried before they were produced.
Poorly dried wood before processing will subsequently peel, warp, shrink, dry out, crack, bend and deform.

Stick length. Longer sticks have more leverage and the benefit of better reach to the reels, but are more difficult to control. If you want more power with the same diameter, choosing a longer pole is a good solution.

Diameter. A larger diameter has more mass, which develops greater sound projection and volume.

Stick weight. Weight affects the sound, force, and your ability to control the sticks. In general, heavy sticks sound thicker and louder. If the sticks are lighter, then they produce a “thin” and soft sound.

Heavier poles have more inertia, so their trajectories are more consistent and they are more forgiving of most mistakes, making them easier to control for beginners. In addition, playing with heavier sticks develops the drummer's endurance regardless of his natural abilities. So it's a good idea to have additionally heavier sticks in your arsenal to expand your sonic capabilities. You will notice that when you switch to lighter poles, they become more difficult to control.

Flatness- important indicator, promoting a uniform feeling of balance of the sticks. IN initial stages In the production of sticks, the most important thing is to control the drying process of the blanks. But since wood is a living, “breathing” material that absorbs moisture, the shape and size of the sticks will always depend on external conditions. Therefore, two sticks will never be perfectly aligned.

Recoil Absorption depends on the shape of the stick and the type of wood. The more a drumstick absorbs recoil, the less voltage in the hand and joints, which means it’s easier to play.
The feeling of “balance” (center of gravity) and comfortable grip depends on the type of wood, its dryness, the shape of the stick and the structure of the drummer’s hand.

MARKING

Traditional model numbering such as 3S, 2B, 5B, 5A, and 7A were the very first generally accepted drumstick numberings, with a number and letter designating the size of the stick and its purpose. The exact specifications of each model varied slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, especially at the point of the wand's taper and tip.

Digital position figuratively denotes the diameter (more precisely the thickness) of a stick. Basically, a smaller number means a larger diameter, and a larger number means a smaller diameter. For example, a 7A stick is smaller in diameter than a 5A, which in turn is thinner than a 2B. The only exception is 3S, which is larger in diameter than 2B, despite the number.
Letter designations“S”, “B” and “A” used to indicate the scope of application of a particular model, but today they have almost completely lost their meaning.

"S" meant "Street". Initially, this model of sticks was intended for use outdoors: for playing in marching bands or drum bands, where high power of blows and loudness of performance are expected; accordingly, the sticks of this group have the most big size.

"B"- meant "Band". Initially intended for use in brass and symphony orchestras.
Have larger size shoulder and head (for louder playing) than Model A. Typically used in heavy, noise music.
They are easier to control and are recommended for beginning drummers. The Model 2B is especially recommended by drum teachers as the ideal starting stick.

"A" comes from the word "Orchestra". From the perspective of a legendary drummer and drum maker musical instruments William Ludwig, instead of the letter “O”, the letter “A” was used, which, in his opinion, looked better than “O” when printed.
The "A" models were originally intended for big bands; bands playing dance music.

Typically, these sticks are thinner than "B" models, have thinner necks and smaller heads, which makes it possible to produce a quiet and soft sound. Typically, sticks of this model are used in light music, for example, jazz, blues, pops, etc.

"A" models are the most popular among drummers.

"N" means "Nylon" and is a relatively new designation. It is added at the end of the marking (for example, “5A N”) and indicates that the stick has a nylon tip.

STICKS MATERIAL

All indicators of the physical and mechanical properties of wood are determined at a humidity of 12%.

American Walnut (Hickory)- an ideal wood for drumsticks. Durable, hard, absorbs impact well, effectively dampens vibrations transmitted to the hands from impacts. It has an average weight and is little susceptible to bending.

Density 815 kg/cub.m,
Janka hardness - 1820

European Beech has a straight grain wood structure, flexible.
The hardness and density of wood varies depending on where the trees grow. Beech wood is similar to oak in its basic mechanical properties.
After drying, most of the wood's characteristics improve, and beech becomes stronger than oak in bending, surpassing it in rigidity and shear resistance by about a quarter and even more significantly in strength under impact loads.

Beech reacts quickly and strongly to changes in humidity, which is why it can be called “capricious” or “sensitive.”

Density from 660 to 700 kg/cub.m

Janka hardness - 1300

Maple- the lightest and most flexible tree with a soft structure. Although maple is not as hard and durable as American walnut or oak, it is an ideal choice if you prefer a light feel and quick response. Maple sticks are considered “obedient sticks” with excellent recoil absorption, are flexible and have good bounce, and are used primarily for quiet or fast playing to obtain a light “airy” sound - especially when playing cymbals.

Maple density 620 - 675 kg/cub.m
Janka hardness - 1450

Oak(Oak) is a very strong tree, weighs more than maple and walnut, and has much greater strength. Oak sticks are the heaviest, densest, most durable and have a noticeable impact. Oak is not often used for making sticks. Very moisture resistant wood.

Density from 675 to 970 kg/cub.m
Janka hardness – 1360

Hornbeam(Hornbeam) has a medium-density structure, good recoil absorption (average between walnut and maple), and fairly high wear resistance. The weight of the wood ranges from very light to medium heavy. The flexibility of hornbeam is somewhat worse than that of beech and oak. Sticks made from it are resistant to shock loads. Like beech, it is afraid of moisture.

Density - 750 kg/cub.m
Hardness on the Janka scale – 1860

Pao Rosa(Rosewood) (Rosewood) is a very durable, hard, but rather fragile tree. It is preferred for its excellent tone and feel, but it is not suitable for playing with hardware.

Density from 709 to 780 kg/cub.m
Hardness on the Janka scale – 2720

Other materials. In addition to wood, sticks are made of polyurethane, carbon fiber (Carbon) or aluminum. All of these sticks are extremely durable.

Recently, steel training sticks have also gained popularity. In mind heavy weight They cannot be played on a drum set, and are only suitable for training and technique development. But not everyone agrees with him, holding the opinion: the hands will become stronger, but will lose flexibility. In moderation and with the right approach, they can be useful, otherwise they can only cause harm, so you should do them with caution.

In today's post we will return a little to the basics of drumming and talk about drumsticks, their structure, features and recommendations for selection.

So, let's begin our educational program:

STRUCTURE OF STICKS

Komel- wand balance area.

Body- the largest part of the stick, serving as the gripping point and the striking part for rim shots.

Tips Drumsticks come in different shapes and sizes. The intensity, volume and duration of the sound produced depends on the size of the head.
There are so many shapes of tips that sometimes accurately grouping sticks by type of tip is far from an easy task. In addition to variations in shape, tips can vary in length, size, processing, and material. There are 8 main types of tips.

Style, scope - jazz, funk, fusion, blues, groove, swing, etc.

Style, scope - Perfect for studio work, playing in a symphony orchestra, as well as for playing light jazz, both with a symmetrical and traditional grip of the sticks.

Style, scope - light rock, jazz, funk, fusion, blues, groove, etc.

Peculiarities: It has a larger contact area with the plastic than a round one, which spares the plastic and, as it were, “dulls” errors in sound production.
Creates a medium-filled sound with a wider focus.
Produces a less bright and accentuated cymbal sound compared to a round tip.
Recommended for beginner drummers.

Style, scope - An excellent choice for drummers playing a variety of styles - from rock and metal to jazz and pop. Often used for such styles as: rock, rock’n’roll, hard rock smooth jazz, swing, ambient, easy listening, etc.

Peculiarities: First of all, it is designed for powerful, rhythmic and loud playing.

Due to the large area of contact with the plastic, they produce a dull, muffled, open, diffuse, not sharp sound.
Also suitable for soft, quiet play. Produces a dull medium sound attack.

Style, scope - trash metal, gothik metal, hard metal, rock, jazz, fusion, swing, etc. with a lot of down hits on the cymbals.

Peculiarities: Thanks to its rounded shape, it performs well when playing quickly in the speed metal style. This tip is recommended for teaching primary hand positioning.
Excellent for alternating fast up-down and slow playing, using concentrated (directed) hits on both cymbals and drums for a soft, focused sound production.
Thanks to the “convexity”, it allows you to control the sound and area of contact with the surface of the instruments in a very wide range, depending on the angle of inclination of the stick to the surface of the instrument.
This tip produces a full low sound and spreads the energy over a wider area (compared to a round or triangle tip), thus increasing the life of heads. A good choice for those who play hard. Gives a rich sound when playing cymbals.

Style, scope - rock, metal, pops, marsh, etc.

Peculiarities: Suitable for loud, heavily accented playing with a powerful sound attack. Recommended for marching drums, for performances on large stages and stadiums.

Style, scope - swing, jazz, blues, fusion, etc. Often the choice is jazz drummers. Light and fast sticks with this tip are an ideal choice for playing in orchestras and jazz ensembles.

Style, scope - rock, metal, pops, funk, swing, jungle, blues, etc.

Peculiarities: Produces a fairly bright, powerful sound with low attack. Shows a good degree of clarity and articulation when hitting the ride cymbal.
Good for sudden transitions from powerful loud playing to quiet rhythmic dim pulsation.
Excellent for both traditional and parallel grip.

SELECTION OF STICKS

The choice of sticks depends on what kind of music (rock, jazz, metal, pops or classical) you will play. The choice of material, size, shape and tip is largely a matter of personal preference.

The stick should feel comfortable in your hand and be suitable for producing the sound you want to achieve. For example, 7A sticks may be good for a small venue concert, but completely unsuitable for a street drum band.

Choose sticks that are comfortable in your hands and suit your playing style. Feel the sticks. Hold them in your hands.

The size of the stick should match your hand, both in diameter and length (often the length of a suitable stick is determined by the distance from the inner bend of the elbow to the tip of the ring finger). If the sticks “sit” comfortably in the palm of your hand, then you will be able to extract exactly the sound you want from the drum.

Try a few different wand models to compare before you decide to buy a specific one. Once you have gained enough experience in playing the drum, you will probably find a certain brand and ideal model that is best suited for you.

Factors needed when choosing sticks:

Wood species. The sound and durability of the sticks will depend on the right choice of wood. The texture of the wood should not be clearly expressed, otherwise such sticks will quickly break.

Wood structure(dense, soft); The wear of the sticks depends on it.

Wood hardness- resistance of wood to change in shape (deformation) or destruction in the surface layer under force. Hardwoods give a brighter tone, more attack and spread, which many people like.

The density of wood also depends on its moisture content.

Treatment. There are sticks for finishing:

Polished. The highest class of finishing for sticks is polishing - leveling the layers of varnish previously applied to the surface and giving the wood a clearly visible texture. When polishing, the surface of the sticks becomes durable, mirror-smooth and shiny by applying the thinnest layers of polish - an alcohol solution of plant-based resin.

Some drummers don't like varnished or polished sticks because they can slip out of sweaty hands when playing.

Wood moisture content- percentage of moisture in wood.
As a rule, a freshly felled tree contains up to 50% - 60% moisture, then it dries out by itself by 12 - 16%, after which the moisture content of the wood is stabilized once and for all. That is why it is extremely important, before the wood is put into processing, to subject it to artificial drying to the optimal moisture level. Typically, wood for the production of sticks is dried within the range of 6 - 14% humidity. On average, the entire drying process takes two weeks. But the exact holding and drying time is not prescribed anywhere, and this is the secret of each manufacturer, who himself determines what degree of wood moisture content he needs in order to process it on machines and obtain the desired quality of sticks.

At the exit from production, sticks require low humidity, since wood “breathes”, and the amount of moisture in it will constantly change depending on the humidity of the ambient air. Thus, the sticks will shrink and swell with changes in climate and humidity, but to what extent depends on how the wood was dried before they were produced.
Poorly dried wood before processing will subsequently peel, warp, shrink, dry out, crack, bend and deform.

Diameter. A larger diameter has more mass, which develops greater sound projection and volume.

Flatness- an important indicator that contributes to a uniform feeling of balance of the sticks. In the initial stages of stick production, the most important thing is to control the drying process of the blanks. But since wood is a living, “breathing” material that absorbs moisture, the shape and size of the sticks will always depend on external conditions. Therefore, two sticks will never be perfectly aligned.

Recoil Absorption depends on the shape of the stick and the type of wood. The more a drumstick absorbs recoil, the less stress there is in the hand and joints, which means it's easier to play.
The feeling of “balance” (center of gravity) and comfortable grip depends on the type of wood, its dryness, the shape of the stick and the structure of the drummer’s hand.

MARKING

"S" meant "Street". Initially, this model of sticks was intended for use outdoors: for playing in marching bands or drum bands, where high power of blows and loudness of performance are expected; Accordingly, the sticks of this group are the largest in size.

"B"- meant "Band". Initially intended for use in brass and symphony orchestras.
They have a larger shoulder and head size (for louder playing) than the “A” model. Typically used in heavy, noise music.
They are easier to control and are recommended for beginning drummers. The Model 2B is especially recommended by drum teachers as the ideal starting stick.

"A" comes from the word "Orchestra". For reasons of the legendary drummer and creator of percussion musical instruments William Ludwig, the letter “A” was used instead of the letter “O”, which, in his opinion, looked better when printed than “O”.
The "A" models were originally intended for big bands; bands playing dance music.

"A" models are the most popular among drummers.

"N" means "Nylon" and is a relatively new designation. It is added at the end of the marking (for example, “5A N”) and indicates that the stick has a nylon tip.

STICKS MATERIAL

Density 815 kg/cub.m,
Janka hardness - 1820

Beech reacts quickly and strongly to changes in humidity, which is why it can be called “capricious” or “sensitive.”

Density from 660 to 700 kg/cub.m

Janka hardness - 1300

Maple density 620 - 675 kg/cub.m
Janka hardness - 1450

Density from 675 to 970 kg/cub.m
Janka hardness – 1360

Density - 750 kg/cub.m
Hardness on the Janka scale – 1860

Pao Rosa(Rosewood) (Rosewood) is a very durable, hard, but rather fragile tree. It is preferred for its excellent tone and feel, but it is not suitable for playing with hardware.

Density from 709 to 780 kg/cub.m
Hardness on the Janka scale – 2720

Other materials. In addition to wood, sticks are made of polyurethane, carbon fiber (Carbon) or aluminum. All of these sticks are extremely durable.

Recently, steel training sticks have also gained popularity. Due to their heavy weight, they cannot be played on a drum set, and they are only suitable for training and technique development. But not everyone agrees with him, holding the opinion: the hands will become stronger, but will lose flexibility. In moderation and with the right approach, they can be useful, otherwise they can only cause harm, so you should do them with caution.

This article is dedicated to telling you what types there are, as well as what the marking of sticks means, and how to choose the right sticks for a particular installation. The type of drumsticks you use will affect the sound, speed, and overall comfort of your playing.

Types of drumsticks differ in head types (which, in turn, also vary in several parameters), material, application and thickness. Next we will look at each of these classifications.

Types of drumsticks by type of head: shape and material of manufacture

It is customary to distinguish four main types: cylindrical, round, pointed and teardrop-shaped. The size and shape of the head determine the duration of the sound, its volume and intensity.

1) Barreltip heads provide a diffuse and open sound due to the large contact area with the surface of the drum.

2) Round heads (Balltip) eliminate differences in sound when struck under different angles and concentrate the sound, which is especially useful when playing cymbals.

3) Pointedortriangletip heads produce a medium focused sound and are probably the most popular for this reason.

4) Teardroptip heads are similar in appearance to pointed ones. Thanks to their convex shape, they allow you to control the sound and the area of contact with the plastic by changing the angle of the stick.

Heads can be made of wood or nylon. Nylon produces a clear, distinct sound and is virtually indestructible. The disadvantages can be noted in their relatively high price. Wood gives a soft and warm sound; The disadvantage of wooden heads is wearability.

Types of drumsticks by material: which drumsticks are better - wooden or artificial materials?

The most popular types of wood for making sticks are maple, oak and hickory (light walnut).

1) Maple sticks are light and well suited for quiet and fast shooting. They break and wear out quite quickly.

2) Hickory is denser than maple; Hickory sticks are harder and more durable. They have the ability to dampen vibrations that are transmitted to the hands during impacts.

3) Oak sticks are the most durable of wood; they are the heaviest and densest. Oak is used relatively rarely for making sticks.

Man-made materials for sticks are mainly aluminum and polyurethane. They are the most durable and often have the ability to replace individual parts.

Marking of drumsticks.

The sticks are marked with letters and numbers (2B, 5A, etc.), where the number indicates the thickness (the lower the number, the thicker the stick), and the letter indicates the area of application. Below is the most common marking scheme.

The "A" models were intended for musicians who performed big band dance music. They have relatively small heads and thin necks and produce a soft sound (suitable for blues and jazz). The "A" model is the most popular among modern drummers.
Model "B" was originally intended for symphony and brass bands. They “sound” louder than “A” and are used in heavy music. They are also recommended for beginning drummers.
Model "S" was intended for city marching bands where required great strength beat and performance volume. Model “S” sticks are the largest and are almost never used when playing drums.
The letter "N" indicates that the stick has a nylon head. It is added at the end of the marking (for example, “3B N”).

As you can see, when choosing drum sticks it is worth considering a large number of nuances. Now you know everything about the main types of drumsticks and can be guided by this knowledge. If you choose the sticks successfully, then your

Drumming remains relevant long years and manufacturers of the obligatory attribute - drumsticks, do not cease to improve their products. Before you go shopping, you need to carefully study the types of drumsticks, since they all differ in sound, weight, balance, strength and other characteristics. Only well-chosen sticks will allow you to fully reveal your musical abilities and emphasize the uniqueness of your playing style.

Types of tips

Drumsticks are usually divided into four types based on the type of heads: round, teardrop-shaped, pointed and cylindrical. Despite the fact that each manufacturer slightly modifies its products, making them different from models of other companies, the standards are generally respected.

Round heads are especially valuable when playing cymbals. They focus sounds and eliminate some of the differences in sound that occur when struck at different angles.
The teardrop shape of the heads contributes to better control of the sound, since when they come into contact with the plastic, the tilt of the stick changes.
Sticks with pointed heads are especially popular. This is because when struck they produce a medium focused sound.
The most open and diffuse sound is produced by sticks with cylinder-shaped heads. This is due to larger area contact with the drum.

Tip material

The heads can be either wooden or nylon. The first ones are worth choosing if your goal is a soft sound. Of the minuses natural material fragility can be noted. Nylon heads are more expensive but can produce truly distinct sounds. pure sounds and are practically not subject to wear. These tips are essential for playing electronic drums.

Wood, steel or plastic?

When choosing sticks, it is important to consider not only the shape, but also the content. Traditional materials for their manufacture are oak, maple and light walnut (hickory). Moreover, each of them has its own distinctive features. The most durable, dense and heaviest are oak models. They are used quite rarely. Hickory models are less hard. Unlike oak drumsticks, such drumsticks are able to dampen vibrations during impacts.

And finally, maple. The best drumsticks for fast playing are made from this wood. However, it is worth remembering their ability to quickly wear out and break at the most unexpected moment. Sticks made of polyurethane, carbon or aluminum have earned popularity due to their durability and the ability to replace failed individual parts. For example, ahead drumsticks with removable tips have proven themselves well.

Manufacturers are increasingly moving away from traditional materials. Heavy steel drumsticks are gaining popularity. But they are used not for playing, but for training. Not all eminent drummers agree with this approach, since the hands can become stronger, while losing the flexibility necessary for virtuoso playing. Important here correct technique, allowing you to strengthen your hands without overdoing it. Many famous drummers break away from tradition and play with exclusive sticks, for example, those made of rare wood or unusual ones. artificial materials.

Subtleties of digital marking

Traditionally, stick markings consist of a number and a letter. The first indicates thickness, and the higher the number, the thinner the stick. For example, sticks marked 5B will be thinner and lighter than models marked 2A. Standards are standards, but still products from different manufacturers with the same markings may differ in ergonomic characteristics, and nova drumsticks are not at all the same as products from other well-known manufacturers with similar markings.

Letter designations

The letters present in the markings indicate a particular style of play. Thus, models with the letter “A” (orchestra) are popular among bands playing dance music, jazz and blues. These sticks allow you to play quite quietly and softly. In addition, they are somewhat thinner than sticks with other letter designations. Today, such drumsticks occupy a leading place among musicians all over the world.

Experts recommend that beginners learn to play the drums using sticks marked with the letter “B” (band). Such models are traditionally used in symphony and brass orchestras; they are convenient and popular. If you decide to learn how to play, then start with sticks marked 2I.

The letter “S” (street) is present in the marking of drumsticks intended for military or street bands. They provide maximum volume and impact, and are practically not used when playing on traditional drum sets.

The letter “N” present in the marking is a fairly new designation, indicating that the stick has a nylon tip. A letter is added to the end of the traditional marking.

Right choice

When purchasing sticks, you should listen to the advice of consultants and experienced drummers. However, the most important thing is to feel with my own hands a much needed attribute. Don’t rush and buy the first model you come across that matches the label. This is the only way you can choose standing sticks. Was the purchase successful? You shouldn’t take too much care of them, wrap them with electrical tape, etc. Enjoy the game... and go get new sticks if your accessories are broken.

Drumsticks are usually made of wood (beech, oak, maple, hornbeam, hazel, etc.) and some artificial materials (aluminum, polyurethane, carbon, etc.). Sometimes the tip is made artificial, but the “body” of the drumstick remains wooden. Currently, due to their high wear resistance, they are becoming increasingly popular. wooden sticks with nylon tips.

Drumstick structure:

the butt is the balance point;
the body of the stick is the grip area.

The shoulder (another name is the neck) is the tapering part. The length and shape of this section greatly influence the behavior and sound of the stick.

The tip is needed for impact. Happens different forms. In most cases it is made of wood.

How to choose drumsticks?

You need to start with the base - wood. There are three main types of wood that are used to make drumsticks:

Maple is the lightest and has excellent flexibility. With sticks made of this wood, the musician will feel less impact from his hands.
Walnut is most often used to make drumsticks. Has good flexibility and high level energy absorption.
And finally, oak wood. Drumsticks made of this material rarely break, but the musician will feel the vibration much more during the playing process.

Once you have decided on the wood, you need to select the appropriate tip. There are two types of drumstick tips - wood or nylon. The most common are wooden tips that will become good choice for many game types. The only disadvantage of wood is rapid wear and tear during active play. Nylon tips will last longer. They will also be useful when playing cymbals in cases where good rebound and bright sound are needed. When playing electronic, it is recommended to buy drumsticks with a nylon tip, since wooden ones can break and damage the mesh on the ped.

The tips also differ in shape. It is customary to distinguish four types:

Round - reduces sound changes when playing at different angles. This is especially good for plates. This type tips are very popular now.
Cylindrical - give a diffuse and open sound.
Pointed drumsticks give medium sound by focus.
The olive-shaped tips allow you to control the sound and area of contact upon impact.

Next important parameter- this is the size of the sticks. Various manufacturers Drumsticks are referred to in different ways. But nevertheless, they are quite similar. There are three categories of sticks:

7a are light and thin drumsticks designed to produce soft sound. Great for beginner drummers and jazz musicians.
5a are the most common drumsticks, medium in thickness. Good for rock music. You can play with them both quietly and loudly.
2b/5b are drumsticks that allow you to produce a louder sound. Excellent for metal.

Most famous manufacturers drum sticks: Stunner, Ruby Grip, Zildjian, Ahead, Cooperman, Sabian, Wincent, Tama, Balbex, Lutner, Vater, Pro Mark, Malletech and Vic Firth.