Welcome to Drum Chat Allandra, and shame on that music store for not supporting a female drummer!
Your question will actually be a bit more complex than it might appear. Stick come in a lot of different sizes, shapes, and material. The sticks that are most commonly used are made of hickory, which is hard enough to withstand the pounding that they take on the edges of cymbals and on the rims of the drums. Another fairly common material is alluminum. Ahead drumsticks are preferred by some drummers because they last longer than wood sticks (yes, they wear away over time), but they are also more expensive. The Ahead sticks can also help drummers that have developed wrist issues, because they are lighter.
When you buy sticks, make sure you roll them on a flat surface before you buy them to make sure that they are evenly round. If they are out of round, you might feel it when you play. As to sizes, here are the most common:
2B - usually considered a Classic Rock stick. It is heavier, and thicker.
5B - a good all around stick, lighter than the 2B, and not as thick.
5A - Also good all around size, and slightly less thick than the 5B, also slightly lighter.
7A - Smaller and lighter still, this is a good size for Jazz playing, although some drummers use this stick for all styles.
The tip of the stick will also effect the sound. Some sticks have a nylon tip, and some prefer this because it gives a more defined sound when playing the cymbals. Others prefer the wood tip because the cymbals sound warmer when played with a wood tip. The shape of the tip also effects the sound, but I thiink I should stop here, because I have probably confused you enough for now.
Again. welcome!
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