Drumsticks are an important tool for any drummer; quite simply, you can’t play without them! But what is the best stick for you? How can the material taper and weighting affect your sound?
In this article, we will discuss the different types of drumsticks and what effect they can have on your playing.
In a hurry?
Here are a few of the main types of drumsticks that are used by a variety of drummers:
| Sticks | The 5A hickory is one of the most popular size drumsticks due to its medium weight, thickness, and heavy-duty hickory wood. | Check the current prices |
| Brushes | These are used for light playing and are especially prominent in jazz music. | Check the current prices |
| Rods | Ideal for low-volume playing and designed like a collection of rods tied together, this is a great option for stripped-back performances that require rhythm without overwhelming volume. | Check the current prices |
| Mallets | Mallets are used for playing effects such as cymbal swells and light tom work. | Check the current prices |
Different types of drumsticks
Sticks
Sticks are one of the most popular tools for drummers. They’re available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, with different tip shapes to match, and these can all alter the general sound of the drum.
The main tip shapes are oval, teardrop, round, barrel, and acorn. Oval-shaped tips deliver a wide range of tones, teardrop sticks are great for achieving a warm sound, round tips provide a bright and crisp tonality, acorn tips are suited for drummers looking for a full tonality, and barrel tips deliver plenty of volume.
The size of the stick can determine the power of your drum sound and how comfortable the stick is to hold. A thicker stick offers more volume and power, while a thinner stick provides less power. In terms of size, 5A is incredibly versatile, offering the perfect in-between of stick thickness and weight. 5A sticks are ideal for rock drumming due to the optimal volume the stick creates.
Furthermore, if you’re looking for lighter-weight 7A sticks, the Wincent DB-7A Basic drumsticks are a good go-to. This stick size is incredibly thin and super light in weight, providing minimal volume – making it ideal for jazz and lighter playing styles. 7A stick sizes also have a naturally shorter length (if you are looking for a longer stick you could try an 8A stick sizing).
Other sizes include 2A and 2B sticks, these sizes are particularly good for marching drummers, with the thicker stick body offering durability and strong snare tones and movement.
2A and 2B sticks are also heavier and wider, and they provide more playing resistance, meaning they’re a great way to improve your playing strength. If you want more weight and thickness, 1A size sticks are the heaviest and thickest that you can get.
Whilst standard wooden drumsticks may suit your playing, you can also add a little colour to your playing with light-up sticks such as the Firestix Light-Up Drumsticks and Firestix Light-Up Drumsticks. These are a great way to add a fun element to your playing and are ideal if your performances are all about the visual experience.
Brushes
Drum brushes, known for their distinctive sound and nuanced playing technique, offer a quieter and mellower alternative to traditional drumsticks.
Their unique design, typically featuring a bundle of thin wire bristles attached to a handle, allows for a softer and more delicate touch on drumheads and cymbals. This makes them particularly well-suited for intimate settings and smaller venues where subtlety is desired.
Rather than using forceful strikes, you should use sweeping motions when performing with brushes, allowing the bristles to glide across the drumheads and cymbals. This produces a textured, sizzling sound that adds depth and complexity to your sound.
The range of tones that can be achieved with brushes is expansive, offering players the ability to evoke a spectrum of emotions, making them an ideal choice for jazz, ballads, acoustic sets, and other lighter music genres.
Rods
Rods are usually constructed with multiple dowels tied together using elastic bands. These elastic bands can be adjusted to affect the tonality that the rod provides.
Rods are an ideal choice for drummers aiming to achieve a quiet performance or practice. Unlike drumsticks, rods generally come in a standard size, with the main differences being the rod’s material and the number of dowels in the bundle.
Rods can be crafted from various materials, including maple, birch, and bamboo. As you would expect, these materials deliver subtle tonal variations.
Drumstick rods, also referred to as multi-rods or dowel sticks, represent unique percussion tools that find a distinct middle ground between traditional drumsticks and brushes.
Typically consisting of several thin wooden dowels bundled together, they offer a softer attack compared to standard drumsticks, yet provide more definition than brushes. This characteristic makes them a perfect choice for situations demanding quieter playing or when a drummer aims to create a more nuanced, textured sound.
The flexibility of the dowels ensures a comfortable grip and reduces wrist strain, making them a favoured option for extended playing sessions.
Moreover, drumstick rods often come with adjustable bands, enabling drummers to control the spread of the dowels and thereby modify the sound and response. With these versatile features, drumstick rods add a unique dimension to a drummer’s toolkit.
Mallets
Typically utilised in orchestral music, mallets can introduce an additional layer of effect to your playing and are suited to a variety of instruments, including percussion, cymbals, and drum kits. Mallets are particularly favoured for use on toms and cymbal swells.
They usually sport a wooden handle and a larger, softer tip – often crafted from materials like felt, fleece, or rubber. This construction facilitates a mellower, more resonant sound when striking drums or cymbals.
As a result, mallets prove ideal for specific music styles, such as jazz or orchestral pieces, where subtlety and nuance hold significant importance.
The design of drumstick mallets also feels distinct to hold, offering a fusion of balance and control that can inspire new rhythms and techniques. Mallets are a valuable addition to your stick bag and can bring a unique flair and meticulous attention to your playing.
Stick material
The type of stick material can significantly influence both the overall sound and the stick’s longevity.
Drumsticks come in various materials, including hickory, oak, and maple. Among these, hickory drumsticks stand out as the most popular choice. Striking a perfect balance between maple and oak, hickory offers remarkable durability, absorbing the shock of each stroke without easily breaking. With its medium weight, it provides a versatile feel, making it ideal for novice drummers in search of their first pair.
Maple, on the other hand, is lighter than hickory, making it an excellent option for drummers seeking lighter and more agile sticks. Its quick response makes it the perfect choice for drummers aiming to execute intricate drum patterns with precision.
Oak ranks as one of the sturdiest drumstick materials, tailor-made for drummers who play with a heavy hand and seek lasting durability. These kinds of drumsticks often produce a louder volume and provide a weightier playing experience.
Another factor influencing the sound of your sticks is the drumstick tip material. Standard sticks feature tips made from either nylon or wood. Nylon tips yield a brighter tonality with a higher rebound, while wood tips project a warmer tone with a more subtle response.
Which type of stick is right for you?
Various drumsticks are suited to different players, and choosing the right ones for your style is crucial for optimal performance. Having a pair of sticks that suits you can significantly enhance your technique and overall playing. Numerous factors influence the choice of sticks that would best suit your playing style, including your skill level, the genre you’re performing, and how often you’re using the sticks.
If you are a beginner drummer, 5A hickory drumsticks are a great pair to start with due to the versatile weighting; it’s the perfect in-between to suit a variety of music genres and playing abilities. The sheer versatility of the 5A size gives you a superb foundation and a good indication as to whether you would prefer to size up to 7A sticks or down to a thicker 2B stick.
Children need smaller drumsticks in weight and length. Having a smaller stick helps to improve coordination and dexterity, whilst also ensuring that fatigue is not a problem. The Vic Firth American Classic Hickory Kidstick and Vic Firth American Classic Hickory Kidsticks are a great size with a lightweight feel and are made from hickory.
Similarly, if you are looking for a medium-sized pair of sticks, our 5A Maple Junior Drumsticks are a nice and light starter pair, while the ProMark Hickory JR Junior Wood Tip Drumsticks are slightly heavier.
Smaller players may also prefer a thicker stick to achieve a greater grip and control when starting out; the Vic Firth American Custom SD1 Junior Drumsticks are a superb choice here. Designed as a scaled-down version of the Vic Firth SD-1 stick, it delivers a robust hold and playability with a lightweight feel.
As an intermediate and professional drummer, you may be looking to explore different sizes and sticks. If you’re a gigging drummer and prefer a heavier stick, a 5A oak stick would be beneficial as it provides optimal durability and power.
If you want a stick that is ideal for lighter genres such as pop and jazz, a 7A stick would be ideal. The lightweight feel allows for quicker movement around the kit and a quieter response.
If you’re looking to create a vast array of tones, mallets are a great option, providing a great selection of sounds and textures to your playing. Mallets are a brilliant way to offer low-volume kit sounds, whilst creating mesmerising cymbal swells. In a similar way, rods are an excellent option for players looking for low-volume alternatives.
FAQs
Are there different types of drumsticks?
There are many different types of drumsticks, all made from different materials, featuring different sizes, and having different tip shapes and materials. These sizes range from 1A to 8A, with 1 being the heaviest and the thickest.
What is drumstick 5A vs. 7A?
The difference between these 5A and 7A drumsticks is the thickness of the stick and the overall weighting. 5A sticks are medium in weight and much more thicker than the thin and lightweight 7A sizing.
What drumsticks should a beginner use?
It is recommended that beginners use 5A sticks as these are medium in weight and extremely versatile for a range of playing styles.
Final thoughts
Overall, the type of stick that’s right for you depends on the type of music you play and the overall strength and presence you wish to achieve. If you play better with lighter sticks then 7A is a great choice, whereas if you want heavier sticks then 5 or 2As are a better choice.
Drumsticks can affect the sound of your playing and this can be enhanced through the shape and material you choose. We hope our guide to the different types of drumsticks has helped you decide which is best for you!
If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to your sticks, check out our guide to the 9 best cymbal brands to suit all drummers.
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