Pick a Drum Stick
CLASSIC DRUMSTICKS
Shape, sound, and thickness are all important factors in choosing the sticks that suit you best. Try out different woods–oak, maple, or hickory–with plastic, nylon, or natural tips. This type of experimentation can lead to the discovery of new sounds.
DOWELS AND RUTES
Dowels and rutes provide a lighter touch and a splashier sound on cymbals. They’re excellent for low volume practicing or for backing up acoustic performances.
Sometimes rutes have a movable band to adjust tightness and produce variations in sound.
BRUSHES
Brushes are a hallmark of jazz players, producing a swooshing, gentle sound on snare and a light, skittering touch on cymbals. Some models are retractable, or feature varying bristle materials, widths, and shapes.
SPECIALTY STICKS
Different genres and settings calls for varying sounds and volumes. Diverse designs and materials can give unique sounds and feel to drumsticks. Specialty sticks may have features that improve feel or balance and make playing easier.
For specific drumstick recommendations, please visit http://www.makingmusicmag.com/tunedin/drumstick-varieties.html.
Pick a Drum Stick
Despite being a simple music accessory, there are many factors to consider when selecting drumsticks. The most important considerations for traditional drumsticks are diameter, length, weight, taper, tip, and type of wood. Then, there are specialty sticks with unique designs or added features. Ultimately, your choice will also depend on the type of music you play and the sound you hope to achieve.
Stick diameter is fundamental to its feel. A difference of only a millimeter or two will affect the feel of a stick in-hand. Heavier styles of music often rely on high-diameter heavy-weight sticks whereas softer styles, like jazz, call for slimmer, more articulate sticks. Stick length affects leverage and reach. The type of taper will determine how quickly the stick rebounds.
A longer taper produces more flex and faster response, while a shorter taper is stiffer and offers additional strength. The amount of taper and location of the shoulder (where the taper begins) help to determine the balance of the stick.
Another important consideration is the tip itself. There is a huge range of tip shapes from acorn to teardrop, each producing unique sounds and complimenting specific styles. A perfectly rounded small tip will create a bright, clear tone, while an arrowhead will produce a light, sharp tone.
Weight, density, texture, resonance, flexibility, and durability vary from one type of wood to another. For example, oak sticks are exceptionally durable, and allow drummers to play louder, with less effort. Maple sticks are lighter and more flexible, but less durable than oak. Hickory drumsticks are resilient, responsive, sturdy, and are good shock absorbers, making them the most popular choice.
When shopping, always check for design flaws such as cracks, snags, and splinters along the shaft; a quality stick will be free of defect. Resonance of sticks can be tested by simply tapping them on a hard floor and seeing how well they bounce back. Any odd vibrations might be due to a fine crack in the stick, so look for minor imperfections. In addition, the best sticks for any player will be straight, sculpted, and well-lathed. Rolling them on a table or across the floor, while following their trajectory, is a great way to test evenness and roundness. Look for sticks that roll in an even, straight line. Finally, be sure that both sticks in a pair have the same sound and feel.
Need some drums to pound on with your sticks? Making Music and Roland are pairing together in support of International Drum Month to give away a free V-Drum Lite HD-1.
Just visit http://www.makingmusicmag.com/contests/digital_drums/ to enter!
About the Author
Making Music is a bimonthly magazine for adult amateur and recreational musicians. Our readers make music simply because they enjoy it—it helps them to relieve stress, connect with their loved ones, and express themselves creatively. Many have played all their lives, while others have only discovered music recently. We publish articles on music theory, practicing and performing techniques, and the health and wellness benefits of playing a musical instrument. Our stories feature real people who find ways to fit music making into their lives, and is intended for musicians of all playing abilities.
two 55 gallon drums of nylon rope for sale $100 per drum
|
|
55 Gallon Drum EZ-Strainer 200 micron for Barrel Biodiesel Water WVO Paint SVO WVO Filtering Filter $12.95 “Perfect for filtering any liquid into a standard steel drum. Use to filter things such as vegetable oil, biodiesel, water, paint, honey, beer wort, ANY LIQUID. Max temperature is 180 degrees F. These are stackable (you can place a 600 on top of a 200 and filter through both at the same time). 22.5 inches inner diameter, 23 inches outer diameter |
|
|
55 Gallon Drum EZ-Strainer 400 micron for Barrel Biodiesel Water WVO Paint SVO WVO Filtering Filter $12.95 “Perfect for filtering any liquid into a standard steel drum. Use to filter things such as vegetable oil, biodiesel, water, paint, honey, beer wort, ANY LIQUID. Max temperature is 180 degrees F. These are stackable (you can place a 600 on top of a 200 and filter through both at the same time). 22.5 inches inner diameter, 23 inches outer diameter |
|
|
Bow Wow Army Drumstick Nylon Squeaky Dog Toy $17.72 Bow Wow Army Drumstick is a nylon squeaky dog toy will add lots of fun to your pet play time. Hours of entertainment for your special dog…. |
|
|
Second Sight $8.67 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Sevens $3.18 Track Listings 1. Longneck Bottle |
|
|
Surrealist Table $14.99 Guitarist Ken Hatfield is joined by Jeff Hirshfield (drums) and Hans Glaivischnig (bass). Ten tracks include: The Chimera, A Demain, Iphigeneia, Mixed Motion, The Surrealist Table, Castalia, Berceuse, Most Every Day, Ariadne’s Thread, and Funkissimo…. |
|
|
Vestil BNW-P Nylon Non Sparking Solid Drum Bung Nut Wrench, 10 Length $12.00 Bung Nut Wrenches are available in several different materials to meet many applications. These multipurpose drum tools not only open and close drum bungs or plugs, they also work as a bung wrench, ring wrench and faucet wrench all in one. Wrenches are universal in that they fit all type of industrial drum plugs and bungs in matel or plastic. These durable wrenches will not bend, breeak or chip. E… |
|
|
Frigidaire Dryer Drum Glide Kit 5303937139 $9.45 Frigidaire FRIGIDAIRE 5303937139 FRONT UPPER FELT/GUIDE ASSEMBLY… |
|
|
Grip-On Tools 2,000-Lb. Pulley Hoist $11.00 This Grip-On Tools 2,000-lb. pulley hoist features chromed steel pulleys with nylon rollers and 65 feet of 1/4in. rope. Lift Capacity (lbs.): 2,000, Lifting Ratio: 5:1, Lockable: No, Rope Included: Yes, Rope Length (ft.): 65, Material Type: Steel and chrome, Includes: Nylon rollers… |
|
|
Ring-Loc Drum Seals (Blue; With Shroud; Nylon) [PRICE is per EACH] $77.24 Ring-Loc Drum Seals are specifically designed to ensure fiber drum integrity. Made of nylon which affords greater strength. Seals are applied with two fingers and removed with a simple cutting tool…. |
