Drumsticks are one of a drummer's most important tools. They're our direct connection to our drum set. Without the correct 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 pros - who've had issues 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 drumming. Interestingly, many of these drummers only experienced these situations during live performances. And in almost every situation, it turned out that each drummer was simply using the wrong size stick. Once they chose the right size stick, all of their problems disappeared.
A lot of drummers select drumsticks based on how fast they can play with them. Many of us want to blaze around the kit displaying dazzling single stroke rolls. So it would seem logical to get the lightest stick with the least amount of mass in order to play with superior speed and agility, correct?
Not necessarily.
The main reason why you may have 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 hit hard with a thin and light drumstick and try to relax your grip, one of two things usually occurs: either you develop a cramp or you lose the ability to hold onto your stick.
You can't grasp a thin stick in a loose and casual 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 attempt to hang on tightly to a light and thin stick while you play hard, you'll immediately develop cramps.
The best solution is to buy a heavier and larger drumstick: you won't have to grip 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 situation, it's because many drummers unknowingly alter 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 mess ups 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 challenges.
To see if heavier sticks are best for you, try this experiment: when you're demo-ing new drumsticks 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 authority, 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 stick. Today, he still uses a large stick, his Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series model, which is well-suited for his raucous style.)
Should you have any questions or need specific ideas regarding your stick 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 pros - who've had issues 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 drumming. Interestingly, many of these drummers only experienced these situations during live performances. And in almost every situation, it turned out that each drummer was simply using the wrong size stick. Once they chose the right size stick, all of their problems disappeared.
A lot of drummers select drumsticks based on how fast they can play with them. Many of us want to blaze around the kit displaying dazzling single stroke rolls. So it would seem logical to get the lightest stick with the least amount of mass in order to play with superior speed and agility, correct?
Not necessarily.
The main reason why you may have 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 hit hard with a thin and light drumstick and try to relax your grip, one of two things usually occurs: either you develop a cramp or you lose the ability to hold onto your stick.
You can't grasp a thin stick in a loose and casual 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 attempt to hang on tightly to a light and thin stick while you play hard, you'll immediately develop cramps.
The best solution is to buy a heavier and larger drumstick: you won't have to grip 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 situation, it's because many drummers unknowingly alter 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 mess ups 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 challenges.
To see if heavier sticks are best for you, try this experiment: when you're demo-ing new drumsticks 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 authority, 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 stick. Today, he still uses a large stick, his Zildjian Dave Grohl Artist Series model, which is well-suited for his raucous style.)
Should you have any questions or need specific ideas regarding your stick 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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