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How to select the right drum stick? The DynaVox buyer's guide:
Are the drumming sticks only a piece of wood? Not necessarily. We understand the problem of a right choice if we take into account that drum sticks are instrument which extends musician hands. Selection of "best" drum sticks is completely a personal decision of each individual. Many drummers do not even think about how much easier the playing could be if they have suitable pair. Even professional drummers often use 2 or 3 different models depending on the song they are playing.
Factors for selection include weight straightness wood type length diameter type of head and subjective factors as "balancing" or "feeling" when playing. When selecting your pair check the quality of wood vessels which must pass parallel and evenly along the rod axis. The balance and lifetime of a drum stick depends largely on the type of wood. Some drummers want a natural sound that is generated by the wooden head. Others prefer a plastic head because it allows constant tone on the cymbal and longer lasting bulbs. Pay attention on the problem of plastic heads falling off which is still present even with some well-known producers.
Determine the size of the sticks that lie best in your hand. Make sure to check the thickness and length. It is important to choose a model that can be easily controlled which would allow light playing and achieving the desired sound. Before you decide compare several similar models. With more experience you can quickly choose a model that will fit in almost any situation.
The following questions are essential: How much volume you require? Do you play in a jazz trio or in a 50-member orchestra without sound system? Are you a member of a loud rock band or a wind orchestra? Maybe you play in a symphony orchestra? Visiting the music school? Proper selection of sticks is just as wide as the different music situations listed above.
Hold the sticks in your hand. Feel them by striking on a hard surface of glass or wood. Listen to the sound emitted by and pay attention to the reflection of them in the couple. Hit with two sticks together. If you hear a hollow sound this is a sign of low-quality wood. Weight uniformity of two drum sticks is desirable. Sticks that sound the same usually have a similar weight.
Test sticks straightness by rolling it on the flat surface. Most drummers use this method as the only selection criterion but that is not correct. Experience shows that a good control and feeling are much more important characteristics than sticks straightness itself. Highly bent sticks are not suitable.
From time to time try out new models of drum sticks and watch for a reasonable price. The high price does not necessarily mean more benefit from them. It is also important to know whether the selected models are always available at your supplier. Past experience shows that with each new supply of sticks come slightly different models in the shops. Will your model be able to purchase when most need?
Several important variables each in their own way contribute to the ultimate balance of a drum stick. The following parameters are intertwined and this is why the possible combinations palette is much wider. The tip is very important for cymbal sound:
Head of a stick affects the reflective properties. Longer cone assures quick and softer rebound while short one gives harder punch and slower rebound. The length of the cone also influences the sound on the cymbals. Handle of a stick affects the sound of the drums. It provides a setting of the neutral point and with that the optimal return of the sticks to their initial position. When properly balanced this point is just under 1/3 of a stick length. Each drummer individually adjusts it by eye. Usually it is constantly adjusted. For instance when changing the volume or with the transition to the faster passages.
The thickness of a stick provides the required power the stronger impact and reduces potential breaking. Thinner sticks are lighter faster and easier to perform technically challenging phrases. Length of a stick has the function of the lever. Shorter have a lower impact than longer. Long sticks are generally slower than the shorter since they require more input energy from a drummer.
Wood is important to the response of sticks and durability of the product. DynaVox sticks are not made of hickory because their decades of research and experience has shown in some more appropriate materials.
