What size drumsticks should i get

But first, you need to understand what the differences are between sticks and what all the numbers and letters mean! The length of a drumstick generally runs from 15 to Some drummers prefer smaller sticks and others use larger ones. Again this all depends on the size of your hands and simply what feels right for you. A common misconception in drumming circles is that if you have a longer stick you will have a better fulcrum to work with.

The weight and diameter of a stick is usually indicated by number and letter respectively, eg. The higher the number, the lighter the stick. Diameter wise, a 5B stick is thicker larger in diameter than a 5A stick. The three main stick weight categories are 7, 5 and 2 although drumsticks conventionally scale from 1 up to 9. And as you might imagine, the heavier the stick, the louder and fuller the tone.

The lightest sound you can produce on a drum will be with a 7A stick. And the heaviest possible sound is with a 3B stick. But, with that said, the majority of drummers remain in the mid-range with 5 series sticks. I use the 5A sticks to play jazz and I really like using a 5B for rock and pop playing. Other factors that can change the sound your drumsticks produce are taper and tip. See the section above about drumstick size for more information on how taper and tip shape can alter the sound.

A longer taper is lighter at the tip and can allow you to move more quickly. I never used round tips until recently. Hands down, the most durable drumsticks are in the 2 and 3 ranges. But you should keep in mind that these are for hard drumming that produces a loud sound. These are reserved for heavy metal and loud music. For jazz, I typically play with 5As, but larger sticks with a round tip work well too.

That would be my overall consensus for adult beginners. But if you have particularly small hands or are buying for a child, the 7 series is probably a better fit. There are some drumsticks made of aluminum and graphite, which some drummers swear by.

From here, you can refine as you get more experienced and figure out what style you like most. After reading through this guide, you should know precisely how to find the ideal drumstick size for your needs. You could have some 5Bs in your bag too. Skip to content. Light, subtle sound. Good for drummers with small hands. Sturdy and extremely versatile. Used for various styles of music. Heavy and durable. Ideal for rock and pop. Most will agree, for example, that a well made 5A model is the best drumstick for rock.

The good news is that drumsticks aren't that expensive, unless you go for some of the more exotic synthetic sticks which we also cover here , so you can reasonably and affordably invest in a few pairs to experiment Looking for a great Black Friday music deal? Check out our Black Friday drum deals page for all the latest news and the best drumstick offers. Playing rock music requires drummers to deliver plenty of power and attack. The tear drop tip delivers a potent combination of attack and warmth, helping everyone from softer players to hard hitters coax bombastic tones from their drums.

Each stick is coated with a smooth lacquer, which improves comfort and aids grip when your hands get sweaty during long periods of playing. Full-size sticks can be too long and heavy, making them difficult to control. The oval tip is ideal for extracting a well-rounded, warm tone from the drums, no matter what style is being played. Drumsticks might be one of the cheaper purchases for drummers, but if you play regularly and find you break a lot, the cost of replacements soon mounts up.

As with all Vic Firths, Novas are weight and pitch-matched before they leave the factory, so each pair is guaranteed to feel balanced in your hands. Then, as you develop, you can start exploring different models that suit your particular playing needs.

Vater offers this stick with wood or nylon tips. As such, they need a stick that can handle the demands of diverse and dynamic drumming. Their new Hybrid model sticks — including 5A, 5B and 7A models — feature a unique Hybrid tip which starts life as an acorn shape, before being trimmed down to a barrel, enabling dark and smooth cymbal articulation, while the extended length and taper make these sticks ideal for fast fills and intricate grooves.

Hickory is the most common drumstick material, however there are plenty of alternatives worth considering. Shira Kashi Oak is dense and heavy — both great attributes for cymbal articulation — making it a great choice for jazz drummers.

The shorter length and reduced diameter of the Shira Kashi Oak model enables the player to inject greater nuance and dynamic into their drumming, whilst retaining a feeling of balance and control in the hands. At the business end, the oval tip helps extract a darker, warmer tone from your drums. Ahead claims their sticks last up to 10 times longer than wooden drumsticks, which takes the sting out of the higher price tag.

Many of their artists also play Zildjian-branded sticks, which says a lot about the quality and diversity of the drumsticks they offer. It's worth a shot. Regal Tip founder Joe Calato was the brains behind the original nylon tip back in , and their Nylon Series offers multiple stick models covering multiple genres, all bearing the famous tip.

The drumstick brand also guarantees that their nylon tips won't budge, even under the most high pressure playing situations. Stick durability is an issue that has been addressed by every drumstick manufacturer on the planet, all to varying degrees of success.

These unique-looking drumsticks have been treated to a heat-tempering process that hardens the hickory and boosts strength and durability, all without impacting the feel and tone of the stick.