Every drummer has their own set of drumsticks. Most of them always want the instruments to give them a certain feeling and make a particular sound.
It’s somewhat of a challenge to wrap your mind around the various drumstick sizes. That applies to both beginning and advanced drummers.
Drumsticks appear to be simple at first appearance, but there are several other factors to consider before deciding.
In the drumstick size guideline, we’ll focus on the main aspects of the sticks and how they determine the size of your drumsticks.
Let’s scroll down to discover more!
Drumstick Sizes Explained
Before diving into guides to choose the best-suited drumstick sizes, it’s best to interpret critical factors, as shown below:
Wood Types Explained
When it comes to drumstick selection, wood is critical. The timber utilized in a stick significantly impacts its response and the drum’s sound.
The sensitivity and endurance of your drumsticks are also affected by the type of wood used.
To summarize, the following are essential distinctions in woods and also how they affect tone:
Maple
It’s the lightest type of wood utilized to make drumsticks. It makes your stick extremely lightweight, controllable, and responsive.
Because of its lightweight, Maple isn’t relatively as permanent as Oak or Hickory, but it allows drummers to use a giant, stronger stick without increasing bulk.
This material is ideal for jazz, pop, and funk musicians.
Hickory
It’s the most prevalent type of wood utilized in drumstick manufacturing.
It increases the stick’s rigidity and durability, allowing for more attacks around the equipment. It is a classic in every sense of the word.
Oak
It’s the most rigid wood used to make drumsticks.
It gives the stick a lot of rigidity and durability, allowing for more strikes and all-around equipment.
For players who often break their sticks, this is a must-have.
Birch
It’s the heaviest material utilized in the production of drumsticks.
It adds density to your stick and gives it a heavier load, feeling, and durability.
It looks like Thor’s hammer, but it’s much easier to control.
Polyurethane
Although this material is incredibly robust, it does not have the same natural sense as a wood stick.
Drumsticks made of polyurethane are ideal for speed players and musicians who run through many sticks.
Grip Area Explained
Lacquer and natural finishes are the most typical drumstick coatings.
- Lacquer: It has a smooth, water-resistant texture.
- Natural: A firm grip, yet prone to dampness.
Numbers Explained
In a nutshell, the numbers indicate the diameter or thickness.
If the number is lower, your stick is thicker, and vice versa. A 7A, for instance, is the thinnest.
While a 5A one is considerably thicker, a 2B seems to be the thickest.
As a general rule, the high numbers will be perfect for more subtle tasks, while the low ones are ideal for a solid pounding!
The most popular numbers include 2, 5, and 7, while 9, 8, 3, and 1 are also available.
Brands are trying to create variations among these sizes.
As a result, it’s advisable to experiment with various things to determine what works best for your performance.
Letters Explained
In conclusion, the letters refer to the standard application for a stick.
- A is best suited for an orchestra.
- B is ideal for a band (like concert bands).
- S is best for the street, which is perfect for a marching band.
- D is ideal for a dance band.
While the applications may be somewhat obsolete, they provide insight into their creation reasons and how they may sound.
Lengths Explained
As a rule of thumb, the following are the dimensions of a drumstick:
- Number 1: 16.75 – 17.25 inches long
- Number 2: 16.00 – 16.50 inches long
- Number 3: 15.50 – 17.00 inches long
- Number 5: 16.00 inches long
- Number 7: 15.00 – 15.75 inches long
- Number 8: 16.00 – 16.50 inches long
- Number 9: 16.00 – 16.50 inches long
What Are The Most Common Drumstick Sizes?
The most common models are 7A, 5B, 5A, and 2B, while you can occasionally encounter sticks in 9, 8, 3, and 1.
Below is a quick rundown of the most popular stick sizes:
5A (16 inches long)
The most common stick size is 5A, ideal for percussionists in chamber ensembles.
These drumsticks provide a varied sensation and balance that works for practically all players and is ideal for different playing styles.
All of the significant drumstick manufacturers offer this size.
The ‘X’ 5A and ‘Extreme’ variants are ideal for musicians that need additional reach across the kit.
If you want to learn more about the ‘X’ 5A and ‘Extreme’, you can watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8i-KhxOfXM
3A (16-17 inches long)
A 3A stick is significantly longer and thicker than a 5A. It accomplishes the same effect, though.
5B (16 inches long)
5B sticks are ideal for individuals who prefer thicker, shorter, and more traditional sticks than the version of 5A. They also have a heavier weight.
These drumsticks feature a more all-around sensation and balance, making them ideal for people who prefer a heavier feel.
Rock, metal, and funk styles will benefit from these sticks.
7A (15 -15.75 inches long)
If you’re a jazz drummer, 7A sticks are a good option. These are ideal for musicians who want to improve their jazz drumming skills.
8D (16 – 16.5 inches long)
An 8D stick is ideal for jazz, particularly if musicians require more reach for more extensive settings.
1A (16.25 – 17.25 inches long)
1A sticks are suitable for musicians who desire the longest-reaching drumsticks available.
2B (16 inches long)
A set of sturdy, 2B wood sticks could be just the thing for solia d hitters behind such a rock instrument.
These are vintage model that is a little bulkier than version 5B.
Drummers who prefer sticks with a more robust forward feeling will appreciate these variants’ overall balance and sensation.
Metal and rock players will benefit from this stick size.
What’s The Best Size For A Beginner?
The right size drumstick is critical for developing a good technique for a beginner drummer. However, not every novice should begin with a similar stick.
An adult newbie should begin with a giant stick rather than a young learner with tiny hands.
In particular, the 7A stick is often appropriate for kids, whereas the 5A one is suitable for adults or teenagers.
5A Sticks For Adults
The Vic Firth 5A is a great place to start if you’re an adult beginning to drum.
There are three popular sizes of drumsticks: 2, 5, and 7. Besides these numbers, pay attention to A, B, and S letters.
Choose the mid-range sticks when you’re in a rush and need your drumsticks delivered.
However, if you’re buying drumsticks for the first time, it’s better to try various sizes and thicknesses in a drum store.
If you’re a novice, try mid-range sizes. Hickory 5A drumsticks would be the best choice in this instance.
How do they feel? Compared to the bare wood finish, they are lacquered and appear less slippery.
Many players feel that these are well-balanced sticks, comfortable on the hands, and beginner-friendly.
7A Sticks For Kids
If you’re buying drumsticks for a child, the 7A sticks will be a good bet. They’re significantly lighter than variants of 5A.
The 7A is easier to practice with for younger students who are starting to play these instruments for the first time.
What Size Drumsticks Should I Use?
Drumsticks are personal to each drummer. Finding the best-suited instruments that offer you much flexibility is the best way.
It can take some trial and error. Discovering drumsticks that fit your musical style, on the other hand, will assist you in getting the best tone from your set.
5A models are a fantastic destination for novices to begin since they can handle a wide range of styles, including rock and jazz.
Advanced musicians are sometimes pickier about which drumsticks they use.
Depending on the style, many people choose relatively heavy sticks such as the 2B or thin options like the 8D.
You can find different options in the drum stores. It would help if you tried on various sizes to see which one suits your performing style the best.
Related:
In A Nutshell
That’s all about drumstick sizes, you should know! There is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing a set of sticks. It’s always a matter of personal taste.
It’s better to remember the various drumstick variations. Having a variety of sticks might help you achieve desired sounds and loudness.
Hopefully, this article will be helpful for you. If you have further questions, leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
