Drumsticks are one of a drummer's most vital tools. They're our direct connection to our drum kit. Without the proper drumstick, many drummers can't play comfortably or to the best of their abilities.
Over the years, I've spoken with drummers - from beginners to professionals - who've had problems with their drumsticks. Either they were experiencing cramps in their hands or their sticks were literally flying out of their hands because they were unable to hold onto them while playing. Interestingly, many of these drummers only experienced these issues during live performances. And in almost every situation, it turned out that each drummer was simply using the wrong size drumstick. Once they used the right size drumstick, all of their problems were resolved.
A lot of drummers select drumsticks based on how fast they can play with them. Many of us want to blaze around the set displaying dazzling single stroke rolls. So it would seem logical to select the lightest stick with the least amount of mass in order to play with maximum speed and agility, correct?
Not necessarily.
The main reason why you may develop hand cramps is because you're using a stick that's too thin and lightweight for your playing style. The harder you hit, the looser your grip should naturally become. This will prevent injuries and allow the stick to absorb more of the impact. However, if you play hard with a thin and light stick and attempt to relax your grip, one of two things usually happens: either you develop a cramp or you lose the ability to hold onto your stick.
You can't hold a thin stick in a loose and relaxed manner and play hard: it's physically not possible, and the outcome will be sticks that will fly out of your hands. Conversely, if you try to hang on tightly to a light and thin stick while you hit hard, you'll immediately develop cramps.
The best resolution is to use a heavier and larger stick: you won't have to hold it as tightly and it won't go airborne on you. You'll also be pleasantly surprised that you won't lose speed/power/accuracy despite the increase in mass and weight.
In terms of why drummers have certain problems that only happen in a live setting, it's because many drummers unknowingly morph their playing approach. Their adrenaline surges, their blood pumps, and they reflect the crowd's energy by hitting harder than they normally do during rehearsals and practice sessions.
That's when the glitches kick in, and as you can imagine, playing live is the worst time for things to go wrong with your performance. Heavier sticks offer a solution to these common dilemmas.
To see if heavier sticks are best for you, try this test: when you're demo-ing new sticks on a practice pad, use a model that's a little heavier than you think you need. You'll be surprised to learn that you'll be able to play with confidence, ease, and plenty of speed/power. Your drumsticks will also probably even last a bit longer (saving some cash is just an additional perk of using the right drumsticks).
(BTW, Dave Grohl drums hard, plays with speed, and almost never seems to miss where he's hitting. While in Nirvana, he used Aquarian Power-Sleeve 2Bs, a durable, heavy drumstick. Today, he still uses a large drumstick, his Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series model, which is well-suited for his energetic style.)
Should you have any questions or need specific tips regarding your drumstick decisions or dilemmas, feel free to reach out. I'm always here to help!
Over the years, I've spoken with drummers - from beginners to professionals - who've had problems with their drumsticks. Either they were experiencing cramps in their hands or their sticks were literally flying out of their hands because they were unable to hold onto them while playing. Interestingly, many of these drummers only experienced these issues during live performances. And in almost every situation, it turned out that each drummer was simply using the wrong size drumstick. Once they used the right size drumstick, all of their problems were resolved.
A lot of drummers select drumsticks based on how fast they can play with them. Many of us want to blaze around the set displaying dazzling single stroke rolls. So it would seem logical to select the lightest stick with the least amount of mass in order to play with maximum speed and agility, correct?
Not necessarily.
The main reason why you may develop hand cramps is because you're using a stick that's too thin and lightweight for your playing style. The harder you hit, the looser your grip should naturally become. This will prevent injuries and allow the stick to absorb more of the impact. However, if you play hard with a thin and light stick and attempt to relax your grip, one of two things usually happens: either you develop a cramp or you lose the ability to hold onto your stick.
You can't hold a thin stick in a loose and relaxed manner and play hard: it's physically not possible, and the outcome will be sticks that will fly out of your hands. Conversely, if you try to hang on tightly to a light and thin stick while you hit hard, you'll immediately develop cramps.
The best resolution is to use a heavier and larger stick: you won't have to hold it as tightly and it won't go airborne on you. You'll also be pleasantly surprised that you won't lose speed/power/accuracy despite the increase in mass and weight.
In terms of why drummers have certain problems that only happen in a live setting, it's because many drummers unknowingly morph their playing approach. Their adrenaline surges, their blood pumps, and they reflect the crowd's energy by hitting harder than they normally do during rehearsals and practice sessions.
That's when the glitches kick in, and as you can imagine, playing live is the worst time for things to go wrong with your performance. Heavier sticks offer a solution to these common dilemmas.
To see if heavier sticks are best for you, try this test: when you're demo-ing new sticks on a practice pad, use a model that's a little heavier than you think you need. You'll be surprised to learn that you'll be able to play with confidence, ease, and plenty of speed/power. Your drumsticks will also probably even last a bit longer (saving some cash is just an additional perk of using the right drumsticks).
(BTW, Dave Grohl drums hard, plays with speed, and almost never seems to miss where he's hitting. While in Nirvana, he used Aquarian Power-Sleeve 2Bs, a durable, heavy drumstick. Today, he still uses a large drumstick, his Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series model, which is well-suited for his energetic style.)
Should you have any questions or need specific tips regarding your drumstick decisions or dilemmas, feel free to reach out. I'm always here to help!
About the Author:
Victor Salazar is the owner
of Vic's Drum Shop, an internationally renowned drum and percussion retailer in
Chicago, IL. The vast knowledge of drum gear that he's accumulated over his 40
year career has made Vic a valuable resource for beginning drummers, drumming
hobbyists, professional drummers, and many of the world's premier drum
superstars.
of Vic's Drum Shop, an internationally renowned drum and percussion retailer in
Chicago, IL. The vast knowledge of drum gear that he's accumulated over his 40
year career has made Vic a valuable resource for beginning drummers, drumming
hobbyists, professional drummers, and many of the world's premier drum
superstars.
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