A strong performance relies just as much on talent and attention to detail as it does on choosing the right equipment, as any musician can tell you. Drummers must select a high-quality drum set, drum heads, and drum sticks that are appropriate for the application or genre. Choosing the right drum sticks is perhaps the most important consideration, and your decision is influenced a number of factors, including your playing style, the genre of music you plan to play, and your budget.
Drum sticks, also known as percussion mallets, are made up of four parts: the tip, the shoulder, the shaft, and the butt. The tip of the stick, also known as the bead, can be made of the same material as the rest of the stick, or plastic or nylon, which produces a brighter tone. Nylon or plastic tips, on the other hand, are prone to cracking and can occasionally fly off the drum sticks while in use. The tip or bead can be acorn-shaped, round, or oval, depending on the design. Each type produces a different level of brightness and clarity, so experiment with a few different options before deciding. Drum sticks have a shoulder that is usually made of the same material as the shaft and is used for rim shots. It can also crack if struck at an incorrect angle against cymbals or the rim of the snare drum.
Another type of drumstick isn’t actually a stick. Brushes have metal or plastic bristles that extend from a handle and fan out when struck against the drum head, producing a softer, fuller sound than regular drum sticks. Some brushes are telescoping, meaning the bristle length can be adjusted, affecting the tone produced. Brushes are frequently used in jazz and blues, but they can also be found in other musical genres.
Another type of drum stick is the mallet. A round head made of a variety of materials (nylon, plastic, rubber, acrylic, and so on) is attached to a thin shaft. Mallets are used to make sounds that regular drumsticks can’t make; for example, softer mallets will produce lower registers of sound on drums, resulting in a thick, low tone. The harder mallets, which are commonly used on cymbals, can produce a wide range of timbres.
Drum sticks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Make sure to try on several different styles to find the one that best suits you. There’s a good chance you’ll find one that fits your playing style and genre.