What Sticks For What?

[HappySoul]

I am a school percusionist, which probably means, I gotta learn to play everthing that there is in the perca section. We have many different sticks in the stick bag, but I am not sure what exactly they are for.

I done a simple search and learnt that nylon tips are ideal for hitting the cybals and wood tips come in many shapes for different purposes.

I intend to get my own sticks, a few pairs probably, for different purposes, and do not want to spend more than 25 bucks on a pair.

Can someone enlighten me on the different stick tips? Nylon tips and the wooden ones? I am also aware that the wood tips come in different shapes and sizes, some are round while others are shaped like a teardrop. What are they for?

Are the "handles" of the sticks important too? Some are lighter than others, some are longer, I would like to know why. Some sticks are super nice to roll but are horrible while playing the drumset.

I need sticks to play on the snare, snare only sticks which are good for double stroking and long eight beat or more rolling. Sticks for marching percusion too. And sticks for playing the drumset. Best if all come together, so I can save money , what good recomendations do you have?

Some brushes look cool too, what are they for? Should I get them?

 

[hi]

hmm let me attempt.. pretty amateur at this one so correct me if i am wrong...

all tips are for any playing surfaces, but it's just the response they get that determines what it is used for... so it all depends on your preference...

the nylon tip gives a very bright response on the cymbals...

barrel wooden tip gives a rounder and friendlier sound on the cymbals...

tear drop is for rather heavy sound on the snare if i ain't wrong...

brushes are for jazz playing on the snare drum (rough snare skin surface) but they are also used for gentle touches on cymbals

yup that's what i know... hope it helped if you want you can go to sweelee and they can help you out....

 

[Gr3y]

if you want you can go to sweelee and they can help you out....

:lol:

 

[HappySoul]

Hey thx alot. I heard alot about swee lee, but never went down, do they really have a wide range of drumsticks and guitars and knockdown prices?

 

[hi]

hmm i don't know about knockdown prices but their sticks are cheaper... that's what i know

 

[Funkifized]

from what i know, barrel tips give a very fat solid sound on the drums but sound less than stellar on the cymbals.

small, ball like tips give a lot of definition on the cymbals AND drums, but there will be a cut in volume. the articulation will go through the roof.

acorn tips sound the best on ride cymbals, absolutely the best. for me anyway. because of the way it is shaped, there is minimal contact between the bead and the cymbal, hence the sound is extremely bright and clear. works really well for those dry and low-pitched rides.

as for weight, its really up to your preference. i prefer it heavier coz, well, gravity aids it in coming down, and the rebound helps with lifting it up, and it's a scientific fact that the higher the density of your stick, the better the sound quality (it sounds fuller).

I myself use John Blackwell's jia angel, coz it has a small barrel tip and is slightly heavier than average sticks. it's the best compromise i can get between fat drum sound and clear ride sound. i throw it out when playing softer styles though; it's too loud.

 

[hi]

wow. thank you for the knowledge Funkifized.... i know what to add to me drum bag now!

 

[HappySoul]

Wow Thanks, just what I needed, I guess I might get some accorn tip ones for my drumeset playing, I need "that kind" of sound coming out, esp when playing open hands ( whateva you call it)