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Thread: Shoulder of the Stick vs. the Tip on a Hi-Hat

  1. #1

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    Cool Shoulder of the Stick vs. the Tip on a Hi-Hat

    So I was told that you are supposed to play the Hi-Hat with the tip of the stick, not the shoulder. However, I am seeing a lot of people playing with the shoulder, or at least alternating between shoulder and tip. What do you guys think??

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Shoulder of the Stick vs. the Tip on a Hi-Hat

    I have a high hat !! ......Depends on the sound you need. I'd say I probably shoulder more when they are closed and never hit them hard.
    Most definitely. As a matter of fact, there will be "NO LIMIT"... just an unending quagmire of musical genius.

  3. #3

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    I agree with Mr. G - it's totally dependent on the sound you are trying to achieve. For some things the tip is where you are going to want to be, and for other sounds, you might want the shoulder of the stick on the edge of the hats, and for other sounds you might want the shoulder of the stick on the bow of the top hat. Or anything and everything in between.

    Let the music and sound guide you - not what someone else tells you it is "supposed" to be.
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  4. #4

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    So basically, there is no right or wrong way.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by BoricuaDna View Post
    So basically, there is no right or wrong way.
    That's it. No Right or Wrong do what sounds right for the music. I love the sound of my hats when I hit the edge with the shoulder of my stick as I open them and then close them on the next beat.

  6. #6

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    Default Re: Shoulder of the Stick vs. the Tip on a Hi-Hat

    Both!

  7. #7

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    either, or......

    if you ask a drummer what time it is?!? they're likely to respond with a time signature "oh, it's 4/4"....


  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by BoricuaDna View Post
    So basically, there is no right or wrong way.
    That's how I feel about it - if the way you are doing it serves the music, then it's right IMO.
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  9. #9

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    It depends on the sound I want.

    If I want a fat sound, I use the shoulder. If I want a nice defined chick sound, I use the tip. Simple as that.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Xoferif09 View Post
    It depends on the sound I want.

    If I want a fat sound, I use the shoulder. If I want a nice defined chick sound, I use the tip. Simple as that.
    Yep. And some people even turn the sticks around and play with the butt end of the stick on the hi-hat as well.
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  11. #11

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    I play with the tips a lot more because I'm not playing super loud music. Your sticks last a lot longer that way. . .
    And the trees are all kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw. . .

  12. #12

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    Both!

  13. #13

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    No right or wrong. I use both myself with the shoulder being used the most.
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  14. #14

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    Playing the shoulder or tip on the bells of other cymbals gives interesting options. Some good rides will generate a new sound as you move up a couple inches each tap. Just thought I'd throw that in.
    Most definitely. As a matter of fact, there will be "NO LIMIT"... just an unending quagmire of musical genius.

  15. #15

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    The shoulder is great for that rock and roll splooshey sound, the tip gets more tick. If you want more tick, use the tip. If you want more sploosh, use the shoulder. You can reverse the formula too, playing the crash like a ride by using the tip, not the shoulder.

  16. #16

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    well, the shoulder is connected to the shaft bone, and the tip is connected to the neck bone....

    if you ask a drummer what time it is?!? they're likely to respond with a time signature "oh, it's 4/4"....


  17. #17

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    One sound will not always work for every song, you need to use the shoulder sometimes. It depends what you're trying to play and how you're trying to play.
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  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by BoricuaDna View Post
    So basically, there is no right or wrong way.
    Like the rest have stated, depends on what sound your looking for. Using the tip allows you to be more articulate and defined sound and also not quite as loud. Where using the shoulder is much louder and less articulate. Just depends on what your looking to play.

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  19. #19

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    As agreed with the above statements, sticking technique will set you apart from other basic drummers. The more finesse and technique you can employ on the hats, the more flexible you'll be and more creative, too.

    Use all methods of sticking on the hats. You'll be glad you did.

  20. #20

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    Agreed with everyone else. Another thing to point out is when "accenting" on the hats drummers tend to use the shoulder of the stick as oppose to the tip. Definitely gives a different feel to any groove.
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  21. #21

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    Depends on the style...

    Its all about changing the colour

  22. #22

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    The very best thing about cymbals is that you can achieve many different sounds from them depending how you hit them and what you hit them with. Then we see people putting stuff on top of their cymbals like other cymbals, triangles, pieces of metal, necklaces etc. They are all valid sounds. They all make music better.
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  23. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by Northern Redneck View Post
    Both!
    Especially when playing shuffles.

  24. #24

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    I use both.

  25. #25

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    Default Re: Shoulder of the Stick vs. the Tip on a Hi-Hat

    Agreed with what everyone said here.

    I will also add, that I've noticed when choking the Hi-Hat, I find it best to use the shoulder. To go from the tip, and open the hi-hat and hit it with the shoulder and move it back down to the tip, gives you a really strong choke sound and a nice chick when you close the hat back into the normal beat.
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