Lighter Sticks = Faster Sticking?

[MDK]

IMHO, Try different types, sizes and weights and you'll be able to figure out what is best for you. I'm not real particular. I go to different jams and open mics and just use whatever is there. Lot's of guys bring their own sticks, snares and kick pedals. I don't really feel, for me, any of that makes any difference.

Just find what you like and go with it. You'll know when it's right.

+1, I just bought a bunch of new sticks at a very good price (10 prs) and they are pretty much all different. I use to try different sticks but really never felt any difference. The only difference that matters to me is nylon tip vs wood tip.. I will still practice with nylon but I much prefer the sound of a wooden stick.

I am starting to have some hand issues (thumb pain) and will start to try a thinner stick but not because of speed.

[groovearteest]

I know this is old, but thought i add my bit. Lighter sticks have never made me play faster, so much as i have more endurance with them. Lighter sticks may make you play faster, but not enough to warrant switching if you don't have to. I've also found that if your not accustomed to them, then you hit rather hard, and play somewhat out of control with them for a little while, and risk breaking them faster. For me, i use anything between 2b and 5b. anything less is just to uncomfortably light for me.

[Drumbledore]

So, am I the only guy on here that uses Ahead metal sticks with replaceable tips and plastic shoulder sleeves?? I'm starting to feel self-conscious now....

Lol, and that's the beautiful thing about all us drummers, we are all different! Don't feel self-conscious at all, Brother....celebrate it!

[N2Bluz]

I guess I'm just curious about how popular they are...obviously, not very. I use Promark 7A wood sticks as well, but I really like the pair of Ahead 5B's I have. They are well balanced and feel like 7A wood sticks, but they are easy to grip still provide the power of a 5B. Best of all, I've had them for about 10 years and still going strong. I've had many other local drummers use them at jam sessions and they all seem impressed.

[Yoda]

i love a 2b grip stick, but found them all to be too heavy/long. i then found that maple sticks were much lighter even at the bigger grip sizes. i use Vater sugar maple piccolos, which are around 2b in grip, yet really light. i love them. if you like something longer Vater makes a sugar maple concert which is around 2b as well, though ive never used them. ive also tried the Promark Dennis DeLucca stick, which is also maple, but far too long for my tastes.

[drumsetsnide]

If lighter sticks did mean faster sticking then I should have been BLAZING fast with tooth picks. Yet I didn't seem to have quicker sticking and I was certainly very sloppy and the sound was extremely light and soft. The weight and size of the sticks most commonly used, no matter the genre, are not that much of a difference. Sure it may take a little bit (several minutes maybe) to get acclimated when going from a larger, heavier stick to a smaller lighter one or visa versa but come on, this is not rocket science lol!

[Jackie]

Lighter sticks do not equal faster playing. Go check out the Buddy Rich sticks, they are heavy. Gene Krupa sticks, also has good weight. Technique creates speed and you need weight to get the sticks moving. Light sticks will actually make you work harder and tire you out quicker when playing a gig. Why? You need to use more energy or hit harder to keep a normal sound level going and you need to hit alittle harder to dig into the drum heads for stick articulation around the kit. Find a comfortable stick and use it.

[bongobro]

Each type of stick has its advantages and disadvantages. Use what works for you--what's the most comfortable for what you're playing. Besides, it isn't the stick that makes the sticking faster...it's practice and experience....

[imperialstar15]

Lighter sticks do not equal faster playing. Go check out the Buddy Rich sticks, they are heavy. Gene Krupa sticks, also has good weight. Technique creates speed and you need weight to get the sticks moving. Light sticks will actually make you work harder and tire you out quicker when playing a gig. Why? You need to use more energy or hit harder to keep a normal sound level going and you need to hit alittle harder to dig into the drum heads for stick articulation around the kit. Find a comfortable stick and use it.

I agree with you partially Jackie, however Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa used those heavier sticks for a long time, therefore they built up the muscle and power to use them effectively. And yes you need more energy to get the same sound level with lighter sticks, but people play lighter sticks for a lighter sound, you don't see marching bands use 5a or 7a sticks, they use heavy sticks, because that's the sound they need.

If lighter sticks did mean faster sticking then I should have been BLAZING fast with tooth picks. Yet I didn't seem to have quicker sticking and I was certainly very sloppy and the sound was extremely light and soft. The weight and size of the sticks most commonly used, no matter the genre, are not that much of a difference. Sure it may take a little bit (several minutes maybe) to get acclimated when going from a larger, heavier stick to a smaller lighter one or visa versa but come on, this is not rocket science lol!

Drumsetsnide, your logic with the toothpicks seems like it would make sense, however using a lighter drumstick is a lot different from a tooth pick. There's a fine line where a lighter stick can get you faster sticking, or completely deaden your sound because the stick is too small, too light, and has no rebound because you can't find a fulcrum, (AKA A TOOTHPICK). Haha. I think the size and weight of the stick is a big difference. Try play fast jazz with a marching stick? See how well that works out for ya haha, you won't be able to get that feel out of those sticks. No way.

[Zeta]

to light is a bad thing. Usually that means thinner sticks which would potentially wreck your grip. or cheaper less dense wood which breaks easier.


Lighter should help because your muscles are acclimated to heavier sticks, just make sure the lighter sticks feel good still.



On a side note, I have used chopsticks and brushes at acoustic shows for cymbal work.

[gallenl]

Vic Firth AJ5 for me.

[Ricardo]

I used 5B for decades....Regal mostly....then Firth.
Then one day I ordered one pair of Firth sticks in every size I had been wanting to feel for years.
I think I wound up trying seven different pair....none of them 5B.
My first impression was that I hated anything longer than I was used to....that eliminated two or three pair quickly.
Others were "signature" models that were all showing me they were in the 5A to 5B range....those felt OK.
But one pair really stood out as the clear winner....the Vic Firth 3AN....slightly heavier than the 5B....feels awesome.
Makes the toms sing and the nylon tip on the ride cymbal is gorgeous.
I have played those for just over 10 years now and it appears that VF has discontinued this model.
I still have 6 or 7 new pair to use before I panic.

[drummer]

I used 5B for decades....Regal mostly....then Firth.
Then one day I ordered one pair of Firth sticks in every size I had been wanting to feel for years.
I think I wound up trying seven different pair....none of them 5B.
My first impression was that I hated anything longer than I was used to....that eliminated two or three pair quickly.
Others were "signature" models that were all showing me they were in the 5A to 5B range....those felt OK.
But one pair really stood out as the clear winner....the Vic Firth 3AN....slightly heavier than the 5B....feels awesome.
Makes the toms sing and the nylon tip on the ride cymbal is gorgeous.
I have played those for just over 10 years now and it appears that VF has discontinued this model.
I still have 6 or 7 new pair to use before I panic.

No need to panic my friend. We have the ability to adjust to something new. I've switched sticks a few times through the years. Not fun at first but we get used to it.

[Drumolator]

I used to like 5B and 55A sticks, but then we moved to a much smaller church. so I had to play more softly. so I went with 5A sticks, and now that is what I prefer. 5A sticks do not make me play any faster. Peace and goodwill.