How to make drumsticks at home? Anatomy of drumsticks

A wonderful idea, according to psychologists, is to teach a child to music from the very beginning. early age. You can either purchase a drum at a toy store or make it yourself. A simple tin can and a little imagination can help you easily implement your plans.

Benefit or noise?

Many adults believe that a children's drum is of no use. It is simply a source of noise and accompanies the appearance of a headache. Nevertheless, the drum is very often entrusted to parents and their children in kindergarten to make. However, this does not happen for the additional workload of the baby and the parent on the weekend. Most often, a loud attribute is intended for performing at a matinee. And you can’t do without this.

Don't think that making this item is a waste of time. Who knows, maybe the child has acting abilities, and already in kindergarten he will decide on future profession. And such a craft will bring a lot of benefits, even if it is carried out at the request of a teacher from kindergarten.

What to make a tool from

In bulk necessary advice For making drums with your own hands at home, it is worth highlighting one not entirely serious recommendation. It is rather of a comic nature, but every joke has its own piece of truthful meaning. Homemade drum for a child it can be used not at all for a matinee. It all depends on the imagination of the parents.

One has only to look around oneself, each person can notice several tin cans or packaging that are unlikely to be useful. From these materials you can make a drum for playing with your hands or special sticks.

Reasons for creating crafts

This question probably worries all adults. Every parent wants to find out the reasons for such a pastime with their child. There can be several examples of reasons for such an activity:

• Getting closer to your child through joint activities.
• An exciting start to the evening for the whole family.
• Development of coordination of movements and sense of rhythm in the baby. After all, with a craft that was invented and created with your own hands, you can participate in an impromptu march.
• The baby may not easily hit the drum with sticks, but try to reproduce an interesting favorite melody from a children's song or cartoon.
• Drums played with hands can be an excellent option for keeping your little ones busy for some time. summer cottage.
• Finally, the drum can become a weapon of revenge against annoying neighbors who constantly do repairs on Sunday mornings.

It is worth considering that an act of retaliation for neighboring apartments can occur without disturbing the peace of adults. To do this, residents of an apartment with a newly minted drummer need to buy earplugs or a pair of headphones in order to muffle the noise in the room.

Plastic bucket with lid

Not every adult knows how to make a drum with their own hands from a plastic country bucket. You can paint such a tool with simple paints; it can also be covered with ordinary colored paper. It all depends on your imagination little master. The lid on such a bucket should fit tightly. After all, the tool will be damaged if the upper part of the tool falls off at the most inopportune moment.

A drum made from a plastic bucket can simply be held in your hands, or you can hang it around your neck. This action is very simple to perform. The material has two holes from the handle on the sides. It is through them that you need to thread an improvised strap, securing it with knots.

Sticks for such a plastic instrument can be selected from scrap materials. This role can easily be played by pencils or old felt-tip pens that are no longer used for drawing. So, things will be given a second life and the child will be satisfied. Kitchen brushes, which every housewife has, can also make interesting sounds.

A child can try out the sound of absolutely any object in the apartment and choose the most suitable one. There is no need to limit the imagination of a future musician or composer. Sometimes a child needs to be given freedom of action.

Paper product

A decorative drum for a little musician can be created from plain paper or cardboard. To do this, you need to cut out two circles of the same diameter. Their size can be any. Then cut out a strip of paper, which will become connecting element for the top and bottom of the instrument.

The paper structure can be glued together with glue or connected with tape. You can decorate the craft using paints or pencils, paste it with various paper illustrations, stickers, cover it with bright satin fabric and sew funny pom-poms on the sides. Thus, a children's craft with their own hands will acquire its own individuality. This part of the work, undoubtedly, can be done by mother’s little assistant himself.

Almost any idea of ​​a little dreamer can and should be brought to life. And for this it is not at all necessary to run around the shops and spend large amounts. Do-it-yourself drums will not only look unusual and original, but will also not require much time to create.

Required tools and materials

The basis of crafts for children in in this case will become a simple tin jar round shape. Among others necessary materials applies:

• hole punch for leather fabric;
• small piece of fabric bright color(can be replaced by colored paper);
• leather flap;
• glue gun;
• leatherette laces;
• glue for fabric elements;
• cotton wool

And also in the process of work it will be impossible to do without wooden sticks.

Making the tool step by step

First, you need to cut out a piece of suitable size from bright fabric and paste it over the jar. The fabric can be any. In its absence, the base is simply covered with colored paper, which is sold in any stationery store or supermarket.

A jar is placed on a piece of leather material and outlined. It is necessary to add 10 cm to the resulting diameter of the tool. Draw another circle.

Along the radius of the part, using a pencil, mark the areas where the holes will be located in the future. In any version of making a drum, make an indent of 1 cm from the edge with your own hands. Holes in the leather are made with a special hole punch.

A leatherette cord is threaded through the resulting holes. It must subsequently be tightened tightly on one side of the jar. The same steps must be repeated when creating the bottom for making a drum with your own hands. The lace is also used for additional fixation products diagonally. In this case, the element is threaded under the lacing, which is located at the top and bottom of the drum.

The final stage is making drum sticks by hand at home. To do this, a wooden stick is connected to a bead-knob. Glue a small cotton ball on top of the beads, wrap it with threads so that they do not remain empty seats. This is how a drumstick is made.

Instead of a total

It's so easy to create your own drums. Without a doubt, your little one will love this exciting activity. After all, a child can act as an apprentice at work. And creative activities with the whole family will not only contribute to the development of the child’s imagination, but will also have a beneficial effect on the child’s imagination and thinking. If a child strives to create things with his own hands, then this activity should be encouraged by adults, because spending time like this contributes to the development of children, strengthening various household skills, and simply brings joy.

Instructions

Go to any music store and look at the models of drumsticks they sell. Pay attention to the markings. The numerical designation indicates the thickness sticks, and the letter one - about its purpose. If you are a beginner, ask the seller for a stick marked 2B and remember its diameter and weight. Models with this marking are intended for playing in brass and symphony orchestras. They are very convenient and popular among those developing technique and staging.

Buy at construction market wooden block. In principle, walnut, maple or oak will do, but it’s better to buy a block of maple. This wood is light and sticks These are ideal for fast and quiet playing. When you become a superstar or a professional drumstick maker, make sticks from exotic woods such as bubinga or rosewood.

Remember the 2B model you were looking at in the music store and cut out sticks approximately the same length and thickness. To do this, make the bottom sticks thickened - it will be a counterweight with the end sticks with head. Opposite thin end sticks, with which the drum is struck, "shoulder". The length and shape of this section affect the sound. Cut the stick so that it gradually becomes thinner towards the head. Then its sound will be more refined.

head sticks make it Pointed or triangle-tipped. This is the most popular option and guarantees mid-focused sound.

Process the cut out sticks sanding paper to remove roughness and protect your hands from possible splinters.

If you want to hold more confidently and firmly sticks, buy special anti-slip tapes and wrap them around the bases of the sticks.

note

Do not wrap duct tape or plasters around the sticks, trying to make it less slippery. Use only special tapes for this purpose.

Helpful advice

Remember that chopsticks are consumables for the drummer. There is no need to protect them and try to protect them from fractures. Play for fun!

Not every professional drummer can tell you right away why he chose certain drummers. Drumsticks. Most likely, their choice is made automatically. They already know what they need. And you need to know this too to make the right purchase.

Instructions

Pay attention to the surface of the sticks - they should be smooth, even, and made of fairly dense wood. In addition to the type of wood, it has great importance weight, diameter, length and material of drumstick tips. In addition, professionals also talk about balance and grip comfort.

Give preference to sticks made of wood that does not have a contrasting structure, otherwise such sticks can break literally at any time during the game. In addition, the sound produced by the drums also depends on the material of the sticks, or rather the tips. Thus, wooden tips allow you to produce a natural sound, but synthetic nylon tips produce a booming and richer sound and last an order of magnitude longer.

Select sticks not only based on the material, but also so that they fit perfectly in your hands. If you hold them comfortably, the quality of the sound extracted from the drums will increase. Don't be afraid to compare multiple sets of drumsticks.

Also, one of the important factors in choosing drum sticks is your playing style and repertoire. You should be especially careful when choosing sticks for rock, jazz and classical music.

When evaluating the selected sticks, tap them one against the other and listen. If you suspect that the sticks are not as dense as you would like or even have a cavity inside, do not even think about buying them.

Once again it is worth repeating that the sticks must be perfectly straight and even, because the slightest curvature of the shape of the sticks will not in the best possible way will affect your game. Roll each of them on a flat surface and you will immediately see how straight they are.

Once you gain experience and understand the intricacies of choosing quality drumsticks, you will do this automatically. Perhaps you decide to pick up several sets at once for different styles games. After all, you shouldn’t get hung up on one thing.

Twisting drumsticks is a very effective technique that many famous drummers use when performing music, for example, Gerry Brown. To learn how to spin drums, you need to practice for a long time.

Instructions

Please note that spinning the drums sticks akin to twisting a stick in karate. Feints with drumsticks can be performed using either two or four fingers. Rotation clockwise and in the opposite direction look equally spectacular. After 2-3 years of regular play, this skill appears on its own. Sometimes it can be worked out by specifically devoting time to it.

Place the stick between your index and middle fingers, perpendicular to your palm, and try to rotate it. Imagine that you are holding a propeller in your hands. During unwinding, the stick should always be located only between the index and middle fingers. At the beginning of training, you can help with your other fingers, but over time the stick will begin to spin in your hand easily and naturally, as if without your help.

Please note that you do not need to rotate the stick like an oar - first with one end, then with the other. Try to keep your hand still, moving only your two working fingers.

Please note that the fingers should be kept straight, only a slight bend in the phalanges is allowed.

Try using several exercises to develop your hands and fingers. This will help you master drumstick twirling faster. First, rotate the chopsticks and make single strikes according to the pattern: R-L-R-L-R-L, where R is rotation to the right, L is rotation to the left.

When you can do this exercise at a fast pace, move on to practicing double kicks: R-R-L-L-R-R-L-L-R-R-L-L.

Having mastered this technique, try performing paradiddles: R-L-R-R-L-R-L-L-R-L-R-R-L-R-L-L.

Visual information on how to spin the drums sticks? look at the schools of Mark Mineman, Bobby Jazombek, and Thomas Lang. You might also find Godsmack's album Changes helpful. In it, Shanon Larkin performs various feints with drumsticks.

Gripping the sticks is the basis of playing the instrument well, so it is important to learn it from the first lessons. Otherwise, your hands will get tired when playing the drums.

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 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 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 large area contact with the plastic than round, 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 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 calm game. 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.
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.



Style, scope - Recommended for marching drums, for performances on large stages and stadiums.

Peculiarities: 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.
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.
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 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 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 the surface layer under force. Hardwood gives more bright 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. There are sticks for finishing:

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 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 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 until optimal level humidity. 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 for sticks it is necessary 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 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- an important indicator that contributes to 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

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 big number- 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 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". 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 physical and mechanical properties wood is determined at a moisture content 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

Janka hardness – 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 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 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.

The question is relevant and will remain relevant because... those who want to do percussion instruments there will always be. In this article we have collected a lot useful information. Let's get started.

With so many drumstick brands on the market, you just need to understand how to choose the most suitable drumsticks for your playing style. Would a metal drummer use jazz sticks? Your sticks may break very quickly or may not produce the desired sound. Therefore, you need to understand what sticks you play with and whether they are suitable for you.

Let's start with a tree

In order to choose the right drumsticks for yourself, you need to start with the base - wood. There are 3 main types of wood used to make drumsticks. The first option is maple, which is the lightest and has excellent flexibility. Maple is good for energetic play because... absorbs impact energy well. With it you will feel less blows from your hands. The next type of wood is walnut, which is the most commonly used material for making sticks and provides a decent level of energy absorption and flexibility. And finally, oak. Oak drumsticks rarely break, but you will feel the vibration much more due to oak's poor ability to absorb energy. If the stick does not indicate what wood it is made from, then leave that stick. This usually means that it is made from an unknown wood without meeting the standards.

Tip selection

Now that you've chosen your wood, it's time to choose the appropriate tip. There are two main types of tip: nylon and wood. Wood is more common. The tree is a good choice for many types of games. The only disadvantage of a wooden tip is their rapid wear when frequent use. Nylon tips last longer and are useful when playing cymbals where you want a bright cymbal sound and good bounce. A problem with nylon tips can be if they fly off the stick during a performance. If you play electronic drums, it is recommended to use drumsticks with nylon tips. Wooden sticks can break and a broken stick can seriously damage the mesh on the ped.

Size selection

When you have already decided on the tree and tip, you need to choose right size drumstick. Different manufacturers code their drumsticks slightly differently, so you'll notice a difference between the Vic Firth 5a versus the Zildjian 5a. However, they are nevertheless quite similar. There are 3 main categories of drumsticks.

7a. These are the thinnest and lightest drumsticks for soft sound your drums. They are great for jazz music and young drummers.

5a. These are the most common sticks. They are medium in thickness and allow you to play both loudly and quietly. Great for rock music.

2b/5b. They are thicker than the previous ones and allow you to extract a loud sound from the drums and are ideal for metal and hard rock.

Original drumsticks

You've most likely seen unusual drumsticks on store shelves. different colors and forms. They are designed to make you more comfortable to hold or to extend your play time. Rubber drumsticks are becoming increasingly popular and promise to "never break". The problem is that these drumsticks are quite expensive and cost about $50 a pair. Moreover, you will see that they will quickly cut on the cymbals and are inconvenient for playing rim shots on the snare drum. Colored sticks leave marks on plates over time and for this reason are not very practical.

Remember, if you keep breaking your drumsticks, check your technique before upgrading to heavier sticks. With proper technique, drumsticks should break very rarely.

Knowing all the information provided, you should not have problems choosing the right drumsticks for yourself. Remember that choosing sticks is always a personal exercise, so try and experiment with different sizes and styles.

The video shows different drumsticks.

• Always have several pairs of drumsticks with you. Companies that produce drumsticks also produce convenient containers for storing them. Put a few of these in your bag to keep your chopsticks within arm's reach at all times.
• If you're wondering how jazz drummers get that squeaky sound on their snare drum, you might want to invest in a pair of snare brushes. Brushes have retractable thin metal rods that are primarily used to provide a quiet background beat, thus making the sound completely different from hitting with sticks.
• When playing an acoustic concert, you can use ruts, which are made from hewn birch or bamboo chips. Compared to brushes, they sound more muffled. Although the roots come in different thicknesses, do not hit them too hard, otherwise pieces may break off and become unplayable.
• Try different innovations from time to time. For example, the manufacturer Zildjian produces rubber training pads.
• Wear earplugs when playing the drums. The source of the loud sound (i.e. the drums) is quite close to your ears. You want to listen to music and have conversations when you're 80, right? Many drummers notice hearing loss by the age of 50, and only then begin to use earplugs. Don't let this happen to you.
• Chances are that you will have to try a lot of sticks. If you don't know which ones you want, try several options. Ultimately you will settle on what is right for you.
• If you play metal, 5B sticks will suit you.
• You can also start with fairly thick sticks of 2A or larger format to train your wrist, and then switch to sticks easier. And, ultimately, stop playing with heavy sticks altogether.
• If you want to achieve an epic, orchestral sound, wrap the ends of the sticks with duct tape. This will give the cymbals a less harsh sound and will also help create a crescendo effect. The more ribbon you wrap around the sticks, the stronger the effect.
• you can use different kinds sticks for different playing styles.
• Be careful, playing heavy music can cause blisters and calluses. Buy special tapes from the selected manufacturer that will reduce vibration - this will reduce the number of possible injuries.
• If you are going to play in a group or already play, ask the leader of the group for advice on which sticks you should choose.
• If you know exactly what sticks you want, buy the big pack at once, they will really pay for themselves.
• Don't limit yourself to playing with just wooden sticks. If your sticks break frequently, try graphite sticks, but they will sound different.

The process begins at the sawmill, where the logs are cut into squares and then dried for further stabilization. The squares are then cut into pins and graded according to quality for different models. During this process, parts of poor quality are removed. The pins are then machined a second time to the exact specifications of that manufacturer's models. The sticks are sanded, tips are put on them, and they are ready for further packaging. Today, most pairs of poles match each other in weight and density. Below in the article I will explain how to choose your own poles.

Wood

90% of drumsticks are made from wood and 90% of wood drumsticks are made from American walnut. Walnut is the most popular because it absorbs impact well and is very durable (hammer and ax handles are made from walnut). The remaining 10% are sticks made from Japanese oak, maple, birch, beech or even more exotic wood types like ebony, rosewood and bubinga for increased tonal possibilities and increased durability. Maple is the most light wood, used in the manufacture of drumsticks. Although maple is not as hard or durable as walnut or oak, maple poles are an ideal choice if you prefer a lightweight feel and quick response. Japanese oak is a very strong wood and therefore weighs more than maple and walnut and is much more durable. Rosewood is a very strong and very hard wood, and sticks made from it are especially durable. They are preferred because of their wonderful shade and feel, but they are quite expensive.

Synthetic sticks. Manufacturers of poles from synthetic materials They use a variety of materials and processing methods. Structurally, they are composed of various alloys, cast or machined into the shape desired by the manufacturer. Synthetic poles provide greater strength than wood poles and offer some capabilities that cannot be achieved with wooden poles. For example, Easton's Ahead poles have an aluminum body with polyurethane coating, which can be replaced as it wears out. Additionally, there are various screw-on tips, such as beaters, for different sound effects.

Length and weight

Almost all poles are longer than 385mm (15.1″) and shorter than 415mm (16.3″). By weight, sticks are available from 40 grams (1.4 ounces) to 70 grams (2.5 ounces). Longer poles have the advantage of greater reach and greater leverage, but are more difficult to control. If you want more power with the same diameter, choosing a longer pole is a good solution. Weight affects the sound, force, and your ability to control the sticks. Generally, heavier sticks sound thicker and louder. If the sticks are lighter, they sound thinner and softer. Heavier poles have more inertia, so their trajectories are more consistent and they “plow out” most mistakes, making them easier to control for beginners. You will extract the full sound spectrum from low to high frequencies using heavy sticks.

When you play the drum with light sticks, the sound is terrible, no matter how hard you hit it. By playing softly with heavier sticks, you will be able to extract a richer, clearer sound from the drum. Compare for yourself and you will see how different the sound is!! Using heavy sticks when playing cymbals will also give you the opportunity to extract much more large quantity frequencies than a light stick. In addition, playing with heavier sticks develops the endurance and strength of the drummer himself, 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.

Density and strength

For wooden sticks, density is the most important indicator of strength: heavier wood = more density and strength. For example, oak is denser than hickory, and this fact is reflected by measuring their density. Hickory: 51 pounds per cubic foot, while oak: 61 pounds per cubic foot. However, as we established earlier, hickory absorbs impact well and is therefore the drummer's choice.

No two trees are the same, therefore the density of a tree differs from log to log and even within the log itself. This explains why some poles feel solid and powerful while others feel hollow, even though they are the same make and model. Synthetic poles are developed by people, and therefore do not differ from model to model, have good density and strength. However, they cost more and feel different than wood poles of the same size.

Anatomy of a stick

The body is the largest part of the stick. In addition to being the grip area, it is also the striking part when playing a rim shot. Some manufacturers suggest tying the body of the stick with tape, making grooves, indentations and various devices to prevent the stick from slipping out. Johnny Rabb's RhythmSaw sticks have a grooved body to produce a rolling sound (especially good for jungle grooves) that is produced when the stick is pulled through the rim of the drum. If you get a chance to see Johnny Rabb play, check it out, he's good at this style.

The shoulder is the area of ​​the stick just behind the tip that many drummers use to hit crash cymbals, rim shots, and backstrokes. By alternating the hi-hat with the end of the stick and your shoulder, you can easily create the popular "chit-chat" shoulder shape sound. 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.

Tip shape

There are three basic shapes for drumstick tips:

1. Round form
2. Oval shape
3. Triangle Shape

Effect of head shape on sound

Triangular tip. Here we have the smallest contact point, hence higher frequencies and excellent sound we will extract. This tip produces a medium focused sound. Since all the forces acting on the stick during an impact are large (since the point of contact is very small), the wear of the stick is quite high! This can be avoided by choosing sticks with a high density.

Now we have changed the position of the stick so that the side of the triangle is in full contact with the plate. The sound changes are not in a positive direction.

A stick with a round tip always has the same contact area. Changing the position won't change anything. The small round tip produces a bright, highly focused sound and is especially gentle on cymbals. Larger size produces a fuller sound than a small one. A barrel tip has a larger contact area than a round tip, so it produces a medium-filled sound with a wider focus.

The oval tip has the largest contact area of ​​the above and therefore a darker sound (despite being made from the same type of wood). Compared to a stick with a triangular head in the first position, its sound is duller, but brighter than in its second position. This tip produces a full low sound. It spreads the energy over a wider area, thus extending the life of the heads, a good choice for those who play hard.

Nylon tips

Tips made from hard wood produce a brighter sound than those made from soft wood. However, as the wood wears, it becomes spongy and the sound is washed out and dark with less focus. To ensure a consistent sound throughout the life of the stick, Regal Tip pioneered the use of nylon tips. The shape of nylon tips also affects sound, just like wooden ones, but due to the hardness of nylon, they produce more bright shades with more attack and projection, which is why many people prefer them. The biggest advantage of nylon tips is their durability, they simply don't fray or chip like wood ones. But despite these advantages, it is quite rare, but there are cases when the nylon tip simply flies out.

Before the purchase

For a smooth feel while playing, you should have sticks that are straight as an arrow and not warped. To check the evenness of the stick, roll it on a flat surface. Separate the good from the bad and move on to the next step. You can have perfect technique but sound like a beginner (higher, lower, higher, lower) if your sticks are not equal in pitch. To select stick heights, hit the sticks on a flat surface as evenly as possible (so you can hear the differences in the sticks, not the technique). Once you find sticks that are equal in pitch, you can move on to the third and final step in the selection process, comparing weights. If you want to be really precise, use a scale; in the West, some drum shops have scales for this purpose. If there are no scales, use your senses and choose the pairs that are most similar in weight. They should be equal, since heavier sticks are stronger than lighter ones and produce a stronger sound.

Numbering of poles

Modern numbering is intended only to distinguish one manufacturer from another and does not overlap from company to company. For example, the 707 and 739 sticks are from ProMark, the Quantum 3000 is from Galato, and the Magnum Rocket is undoubtedly from Vic Firth. 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 in taper and tip (we'll discuss this below), however, the basic dimensions and shapes were standardized throughout the industry. The numerical position indicates the diameter of the 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

The letters "S", "B" and "A" indicate recommended use. The "S" model of sticks was designed for street use, that is, for drum bands and marching bands. The largest diameter to date, their greater mass develops the volume and power needed for these styles. The "B" model was designed for ensembles (Bands), such as brass bands and symphony orchestras. Smaller in diameter than the "S" models, they are easier to control and are especially popular with beginning drummers. Model 2B is especially recommended by practicing teachers as an ideal starting point. "A" is for Orchestra. "A" models were designed for large orchestras and dance orchestras. They are smaller in diameter than the "B" and are much better suited for playing softly.

Unfortunately, we have not yet come up with a system by which we could immediately receive full information about sticks only by their indices. Moreover, the same series may differ from one manufacturer to another. But rest assured that all poles of the same series from any particular manufacturer will be as identical to each other as possible. In addition to numerical indices, you can see a large number of other descriptions like “John Doe Jazz Model”, “Dolly Parton Swing Model”, “Band”, “General”, “Bolero”, “Steve Gadd” and a thousand others, which are absolutely not specific they do not provide information.

Pair matching

Good drumstick manufacturers try to select pairs of equal weight. But factors such as temperature and humidity have a huge impact on wood, so before buying, select a pair so that both sticks are the same in everything. Sticks are subject to deformation, so when choosing, roll them on glass or some other surface and immediately notice the presence or absence of defects in the stick. Probably the most important factor The thing that affects the longevity of your poles is the arrangement of the wood grain. More specifically: if the fibers run straight along the stick and end at the very end of the head, then your stick will last as long as possible. It will not break (depending on how you play), but will crumble. And if the fiber ends, for example, in the middle of the stick, then the highest probability that it will break is in this place.

Translated by Backs. Significant additions and comments to the article were sent by Drummen F