Drumsticks are the most necessary accessory for playing various percussion instruments. They are usually made of wood, but are also found in maple, hazel, oak, hornbeam and beech.
In any music store you can look at different models of this accessory. The number that is indicated on the stick is the marking of the thickness of the sticks, and the letter is the purpose of the sticks. For a novice drummer, as an example of how to make drumsticks yourself, sticks marked ‘’2B’’ will serve well. You can play with them in brass and symphony orchestras, as they technically develop the drummer very well.
Drumsticks are those musical objects that, in light of their diversity, often cause confusion for people who want to purchase them. The thing is that today there is no single principle for designating drumsticks. For example, in the case of some manufacturers, the name of drumsticks becomes clear only in the process of classification into musical styles - drumsticks for Rock, Jazz, etc. styles.
The ability to rotate drumsticks only has an indirect connection with the experience and skill of the drummer. But the acquired skills of how to twirl drumsticks correctly will definitely have a strong impression on people watching the musician. After all, in a psychological context, this is an indicator of fluency in the drum and a friendly attitude towards it.
As in any business, it is clear that this, first of all, requires practice. Learning how to spin drumsticks takes a little work. First you need to place your hand palms up. Then bend at the elbow, raise the hand to the chest (the fingers should not be tense, but rather free). Then you should hold the drumstick between the tip index finger and a large pad. The drummer should rest the tips of the middle, ring and little fingers on the drumstick. As for the center of gravity of the drumstick, it should be closer to the wrist, and not between the index and thumb.
In order to learn how to learn how to twist drumsticks, you need to continue the steps by doing the following - loosen the pressure with your index finger, pull the stick back a little and push hard with your middle finger. At the same time, you need to press all your fingers, with the exception of the thumb, into the palm of your hand until the thumb “bends around” as you rotate the stick. If the fingers are in the original position, the stick will falter and thus the roll will not be completed.
The last thing to do is to release the stick to the starting position, closing your fingers at the end of the rotation, and then repeat. In general, learning such an inventive attitude towards drumsticks, if desired, is not difficult, and even fun.
Hi all. I bought nylon drumsticks out of pure curiosity, what they are and what they are eaten with. Briefly: they correspond to size 5A, are slightly longer, but heavier than oak sticks; when playing, they bend and spring unpleasantly. Compared with wooden chopsticks the drums sound much quieter and muffled, but the cymbals sound even louder due to the greater weight of the nylon sticks. After each hit on the cymbal, decent dents remain on the sticks. Hardly suitable for anything other than training your hands on a drum pad
What are drumsticks made from? On sale there are both classic ones - wooden, and with nylon tips, and carbon, and hybrid, with replaceable shoulders and heads (Ahead). But somehow I haven’t come across nylon ones, so I became curious what kind of sticks they were and how they behave.
I ordered the most cheap option, which I found on Aliexpress, since I didn’t notice any visual difference with the more expensive ones. It took about a month for the package to reach me, without a tracking number, in a simple package, for which you don’t even need to sign for it at the post office. The packaging was simple, a bag and a couple of turns of bubble wrap.
This is what these sticks look like:
Comparison with Vic Firth 5A maple sticks. As you can see, the nylon sticks are slightly longer, although they are very similar in shoulder shape.
The head of the sticks is pointed, I would say, too pointed:
The handles of the sticks are corrugated, apparently so that they do not slip out of the hands. But for me it would be better if they were smooth; with such a surface you can rip the skin off your hands. If the wooden sticks are too smooth, I usually lightly sand them where the fine sander grips. sandpaper, and they no longer slip. They clearly overdid it with the corrugation.
Now about the sensations when playing with these sticks, and about the sound. The weight of the sticks is noticeably heavier than wooden ones, even oak ones of the same size 5A. The effect of “heaviness” when playing is also intensified, since the sticks are more elastic than wooden ones, they bend noticeably when swinging and spring back upon impact, even perhaps stronger than bamboo sticks, such as those in the review, and these are the most flexible sticks I’ve ever encountered.
The sound of hitting drums, compared to wooden sticks, is much quieter and muffled, apparently precisely because of their elasticity. But the sound of hitting the cymbals is even louder than that of wooden sticks, as I understand it, due to the greater weight of nylon ones. Therefore, when playing them, what strikes the eye, or rather, the ear, is the discrepancy between the volume of the drums and cymbals: the drums are too quiet, the cymbals are too loud. That is, you won’t be able to play it as quietly as root music, or you need to additionally mute the cymbals. Maybe these sticks are indispensable in some exotic style, where the cymbals must be much louder than the drums, but I don’t know of one.
Here is a short video showing the difference in sound between wooden and nylon drumsticks. Unfortunately, it was done very spontaneously, without preparation, I did not think in advance what exactly to play so that the difference in the sound of the sticks would be most noticeable. Therefore, the demo video turned out shorter than planned, but I don’t have the opportunity to shoot a second take in the near future.
In the video, I didn’t knock powerfully, to put it mildly, since the installation is in a residential building, and I generally try not to play with sticks at home. With more dynamic playing, the drums would sound deeper and fuller, the snare would have less string crackle and more of a tom sound. But I think that the difference between the sound of wooden and nylon sticks can be understood, although in the recording the difference is less pronounced. The sound was recorded using a Zoom H4n recorder located on a tripod near the drummer's head.
As I said, I don't see any use for these sticks in drumming, primarily due to the discrepancy between the volume of the cymbals and the drums. You can get used to the elasticity of these sticks, but artificially forcing the feed in the drums and holding back when playing cymbals is too much. This is, of course, possible, but why?
The following photos show the dents that formed on the shoulders of the sticks after, one might say, ten seconds of playing while recording a video.
Even the most low-quality wooden sticks become covered with similar dents during much more dynamic playing. But with nylon ones, I just gently stroked the plates, and as a result, such dents. What would happen to them after an hour of playing in a heavy style, I’m afraid to even imagine; most likely they simply won’t last that hour. I don’t want to do such an experiment, because I’m thinking of trying to use these sticks to train my hands on a pad; they seem suitable for this.
To be honest, I’m a little sorry for the money spent on these sticks, since most likely I won’t find any use for them. I also regret that I didn’t buy sticks, for example, yellow or Green colour, that would be funny. It wouldn't change the essence, but they would be a little prettier.
Thank you for your attention.
I'm planning to buy +2 Add to favorites I liked the review +24 +36In today's post we will return a little to the basics of drumming and talk about drumsticks, 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
Body- the largest part of the stick, which serves as a gripping point and the striking part for rim shots.
Shoulder- area of the stick often used for crash and return hits. Alternating blows with the tip 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 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.
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.
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.
This tip does not tolerate errors in sound production and is suitable for use by drummers with a correctly placed blow.
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: 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 calm game. Produces a dull medium sound attack.
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 the 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.
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 that spreads 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.
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
Factors needed when choosing sticks:
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.
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. 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 exact time aging and drying are not prescribed anywhere, and this is the secret of each manufacturer, who himself determines what degree of moisture content of the wood 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 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 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
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
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
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.
IN Lately Steel training sticks are also gaining popularity. Due to their heavy weight, they cannot be played on drum kit, 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.
Drumming has not lost its relevance for many 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.
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.
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 are capable of producing truly distinct, clean sounds and show virtually no wear and tear. These tips are essential for playing electronic drums.
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 damaged ones. 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. What is important here is the correct technique to strengthen your hands, but not to overdo it. Many famous drummers break away from tradition and play with exclusive sticks, for example, made from rare woods or unusual artificial materials.
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 others famous manufacturers with similar markings.
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 bands; 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.
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.
