Choosing Drum Sticks

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The type of drum stick to be chosen will greatly depend on the style of music and possibly the type of drum kit. There are many types of drum sticks to select, ranging from the type of wood, size, and weight.

The main types of drumsticks that are made and preferred by drummers are oak, hickory, and maple. Oak is a stronger and heavier wood which is great for a heavier style of playing. Hickory and maple are lighter woods that work well for lighter styles. The heads of the sticks vary in sizes but are balanced in ratio to the shoulder and butt of the sticks. Some drumstick heads are nylon tipped that deliver a crisp sound to cymbals.

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All About Drum Sticks - Can your choice of drum stick affect the quality of your playing? This article gives background information on drum sticks of various types.

Other types of drumsticks used on the drumset are nylon sticks and brushes. Nylon sticks for the most part are used on electronic drumsets. They have great rebound and are balanced to absorb shock. Brushes are wire or nylon strands attached to the grip handle of a drumstick. These brushes are used for a quieter style of drumming as in the so called “easy listening” music and jazz.

Here are some tips that seasoned drummers know and that beginners can use as valuable information when buying drumsticks. 1- Make sure the pair of sticks are of the same length. 2- Check to see of they’re both made of the same wood. 3- Make sure they weigh the same. 4- By using the same hand, make the same stroke with each stick on a hard surface to see if they produce the same sound. 5- Check each drumstick for straightness by rolling the stick on a hard flat surface.

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Introducing Compact Drum Sets - A full size drum kit might not be practical for the ordinary home due to space restrictions. Could a compact kit be a better choice?

There are some precautions with the use of your drumsticks. At times, the drum set can be played with the butt end of the stick hitting the drum head. If the butt end is flat and not rounded, it may leave deep indentations or possibly tear the drum head. Sticks do splinter and break which may cause injury if not replaced.

Choose the right sticks for the right style of playing on the drum set. Drummers that are heavy hitters for music such as hard rock, metal, or music that requires continuous hard hits on the drum kit might select sticks that can withstand the assault. The style of music is greatly but not totally dependent on the thickness, size, weight, and the selection of wood used for the drumsticks but it is important that the drummer is comfortable with the sticks in executing and delivering the sound that is required.

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Introducing Your Child To A Drum Kit - Drums are an ideal first instrument for many children given their love of banging things and making as much noise as possible. Buy some ear plugs at the...

Thaddeus W. Johnson is a writer, professional drummer and drum teacherwho enjoys providing tips and valuable information for online shoppers ofdrum related products and topics such as drum handling,, great woods for drum kits, and drum sticks.

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Choose the Right Drum Stick to Play on the Drums