Pre-Lesson 3: Beginning Hints Pt.2

Two very important and unrelated aspects of drumming are your sticks, and your motivation. Your choice of sticks can affect your ability and comfort levels, as well as produce different genre-specific sounds, so choosing the rights sticks can make you play and sound better. Your motivation is what keeps you persistent through the hardships of becoming a drummer, such as those grueling practice hours spent trying to perfect that one rudiment or fill.. so, on to the which kind of sticks work best to hit things.


  Ah, the sticks. So overlooked.. Sure you might fret on which set to get or which cymbals, but don't forget about the sticks! The 5A or the 5B? 2B or 3S? Your preference is completely unique to you, so make sure you choose the right ones. Stay with me now, they make more sense when you know what your looking at. The number represents the circumference, but the higher the number the thinner the stick, the lower the number the thicker the stick. An exception, though, is the 3S which is thicker then a 2B.. so nothing is set in stone, and exact specifications tend to vary between manufacturer. Alright, we got that down but what do the letters mean?

• S - Intended for Street applications. Designed for higher volume and projection, Such that a marching band would require
• B - Intended for Band applications. Smaller circumference then "S" and preferred by beginning drummers for ease of use.
• A - Intended for Orchestra applications. Preferred by Rock and Jazz players. Smaller circumference then "B"

  So, we understand the kind of stick, but what kind of tips should I get? Well, that depends completely on the genre of music you think you'll be playing. Round tips give a focused sound that's especially good on cymbals, ranging from the tight ping sound of small round tips to the broader, fuller tones of larger round tips. Barrel tips have a larger contact area for a broader, more diffuse tone. Pointed or triangle-tipped sticks produce a focused medium tone. Teardrop or olive-shaped tips produce a range of sounds from tightly focused to diffuse depending on how they are held. The material is important too; Nylon for durability and distinct sound, Wood for warmer, softer sounds.


  Motivation.. it's what motivates you :) My motivation is God.. It was God who introduced me to drums, and it was God who continued to provide me with a place to practice and a team to play on. It's a good idea for you to have motivation behind what you do, because without motivation I would, for example, give up on this blog after realizing that I'm going to have to write at least 5 to 10 paragraphs a week to be somewhat successful. Your motivation can be something as simple as a promise you make to yourself, as long as it really does matter to you. Just make a promise to yourself to practice at least 20 minutes everyday, even if you forget until your ready to go to bed and really don't want to. 


Well that's pretty much it.. My next lesson will be Percussion Lesson 1: Just Starting Out, and then on to either Drum Lesson 2 or Percussion Lesson 2, the first real, hands-on lesson, so be sure to check back daily!


Anything I missed? Think I should add something? Need some clarification? Let me know!