Who Came Up with the Drumstick Sizing Method and Why?
The history of drum stick sizing is surprisingly interesting.
Do you wonder who came up with the odd 2B, 5A, 5B and 7A stick size designation and why they needed to be to add the extra A and B sizes to confuse us even more? Where did the 7B and 2A sizes go?
Back in the 1930’s, there were many stick sizes from size 2 to size 9 and the number represented the diameter or thickness of the stick. The letters designated the musical application the stick was to be used for. A thin “Acoustic” stick or “A” size, was meant for playing with small groups of un-amplified musicians, a medium sized “Band” or “B” sized stick was for playing with Big Band Jazz bands and a large “Street” or “S” size for playing with marching street bands full of brass. Back in the day, every small town had a local marching band that would march in local parades or play the open air band shell at the town park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
So, a 7, 8 or 9 diameter stick was too small to be used with a Big Band so only a 7A, 8A, or 9A were made. The 5 or 6 sized stick could be used with a small band thus the 5A or 6A size and also a Big Band or the 5B or 6B sized stick. The 2, 3 or 4 size was too large to use with a small acoustic band, so no need for a 2A to 4A but a 2B to 4B was big enough to use as a marching stick.
More recently stick sizes have changed and some makers no longer conform to the old standards and you can find an Vic Firth “8D” stick or a Headhunter “CCC” size as an example.
Today, the common conventions are that 7 sized sticks are used for Jazz, 5 sized sticks are rock sticks and 2 sticks are used for really loud needs. But it should be more nuanced than that. 7 sized sticks are easier for younger students with smaller hands to hold and control. 2 sized sticks may be more comfortable for those with large mitts. Many drummers like to warm up with big heavy sticks so that when they return to their smaller performing sticks they can fly around their kit.
What your stick is made from has a profound effect on your sound, stick durability and the speed you can play.
Hickory sticks are the most commonly found. Hickory is hard enough to extend durability, will naturally flex and sounds great.
Oak is very hard and durable but is much heavier than hickory. It sounds dense and clear.
Maple is lighter than Hickory but is not as durable. It sounds lighter and crispy.
Tip selection is a dark art for many drummers. The size, shape and composition of the tip on your stick can make a remarkable difference to your sound. Don’t believe me? Let’s try an experiment. Find your most expressive ride cymbal. Grab a set of sticks with an acorn shaped tip, a similar sized stick with a barrel tip and round tipped stick. Play your ride with each stick tip. Interesting isn’t it. The Round tip is tight and focused almost a “Ping” sound. Barrel tips sound less focussed and more “rich and round” with a longer sustain. The Acorn tip is “crisp, clear and warm” with a medium sustain.
Use a nylon tip and you will immediately notice a brighter, sharper tone. This can really help you cut through a mix without drumming harder or switching to heavier sticks.
Soft wool mallets give you a very soft sound and perfect for cymbal swells and timpani type tones from toms.
The taper your stick has will affect your playing too. Long tapers make the stick lighter, faster and more flexible. Short tapers are more durable, louder and make the stick feel “front-end” heavy. Medium tapers feel very balanced.
Finally, lets talk about sticks breaking and chipping. It really is about how hard you hit and if you are sticking your cymbals correctly. Using 7A maple sticks on a rock gig will ensure your sticks don't make it to the third tune. If you like the 7 size I suggest you look for maple or oak sticks with nylon tips and a short taper, but expect that you will be breaking more sticks than the drummer who uses 5B sized sticks.
Technique has a direct impact on stick longevity. Practice hitting your cymbals with a glancing swiping motion rather than a straight on smashing action. Hitting a cymbal hard straight onto the edge will also increase the likelihood that you will crack the cymbal and with many high-end cymbals priced above $500 sloppy technique can get expensive fast. Also, you will get a better cymbal tone using the swiping technique. Use the sticks taper to hit the cymbal rather than the tip and this will ensure your sticks last longer too.
I have sold drummers sticks with a metal shaft at their core and replaceable sleeves and tips. Some guys love them, but others find all that impact is being sent straight into their hands forearms and wrists giving them medical issues down the line. These may work for hard rock and metal players, but will take their toll on your cymbals and health.
Traditional grip drummers may find that they need to switch to a matched grip when playing rock as the traditional grip can injure them when pushed too hard. Jazz, country and folk drummers carry on… as the traditional grip is awesome to use and to watch.
But it does in the end boil down to which stick feels the best too you. Some drummers prefer sticks with a tacky finish, others prefer naked wood. Some drummers like the balance to be more forward while others prefer a back weighted stick. Some prefer a huge ball tip and others look for a thin olive tip. Oak, Bamboo, Nylon tip, wood or even brass its up to you. So try out something new when you can afford too. You may be delighted.
Do you wonder who came up with the odd 2B, 5A, 5B and 7A stick size designation and why they needed to be to add the extra A and B sizes to confuse us even more? Where did the 7B and 2A sizes go?
Back in the 1930’s, there were many stick sizes from size 2 to size 9 and the number represented the diameter or thickness of the stick. The letters designated the musical application the stick was to be used for. A thin “Acoustic” stick or “A” size, was meant for playing with small groups of un-amplified musicians, a medium sized “Band” or “B” sized stick was for playing with Big Band Jazz bands and a large “Street” or “S” size for playing with marching street bands full of brass. Back in the day, every small town had a local marching band that would march in local parades or play the open air band shell at the town park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
So, a 7, 8 or 9 diameter stick was too small to be used with a Big Band so only a 7A, 8A, or 9A were made. The 5 or 6 sized stick could be used with a small band thus the 5A or 6A size and also a Big Band or the 5B or 6B sized stick. The 2, 3 or 4 size was too large to use with a small acoustic band, so no need for a 2A to 4A but a 2B to 4B was big enough to use as a marching stick.
More recently stick sizes have changed and some makers no longer conform to the old standards and you can find an Vic Firth “8D” stick or a Headhunter “CCC” size as an example.
Today, the common conventions are that 7 sized sticks are used for Jazz, 5 sized sticks are rock sticks and 2 sticks are used for really loud needs. But it should be more nuanced than that. 7 sized sticks are easier for younger students with smaller hands to hold and control. 2 sized sticks may be more comfortable for those with large mitts. Many drummers like to warm up with big heavy sticks so that when they return to their smaller performing sticks they can fly around their kit.
What your stick is made from has a profound effect on your sound, stick durability and the speed you can play.
Hickory sticks are the most commonly found. Hickory is hard enough to extend durability, will naturally flex and sounds great.
Oak is very hard and durable but is much heavier than hickory. It sounds dense and clear.
Maple is lighter than Hickory but is not as durable. It sounds lighter and crispy.
Tip selection is a dark art for many drummers. The size, shape and composition of the tip on your stick can make a remarkable difference to your sound. Don’t believe me? Let’s try an experiment. Find your most expressive ride cymbal. Grab a set of sticks with an acorn shaped tip, a similar sized stick with a barrel tip and round tipped stick. Play your ride with each stick tip. Interesting isn’t it. The Round tip is tight and focused almost a “Ping” sound. Barrel tips sound less focussed and more “rich and round” with a longer sustain. The Acorn tip is “crisp, clear and warm” with a medium sustain.
Use a nylon tip and you will immediately notice a brighter, sharper tone. This can really help you cut through a mix without drumming harder or switching to heavier sticks.
Soft wool mallets give you a very soft sound and perfect for cymbal swells and timpani type tones from toms.
The taper your stick has will affect your playing too. Long tapers make the stick lighter, faster and more flexible. Short tapers are more durable, louder and make the stick feel “front-end” heavy. Medium tapers feel very balanced.
Finally, lets talk about sticks breaking and chipping. It really is about how hard you hit and if you are sticking your cymbals correctly. Using 7A maple sticks on a rock gig will ensure your sticks don't make it to the third tune. If you like the 7 size I suggest you look for maple or oak sticks with nylon tips and a short taper, but expect that you will be breaking more sticks than the drummer who uses 5B sized sticks.
Technique has a direct impact on stick longevity. Practice hitting your cymbals with a glancing swiping motion rather than a straight on smashing action. Hitting a cymbal hard straight onto the edge will also increase the likelihood that you will crack the cymbal and with many high-end cymbals priced above $500 sloppy technique can get expensive fast. Also, you will get a better cymbal tone using the swiping technique. Use the sticks taper to hit the cymbal rather than the tip and this will ensure your sticks last longer too.
I have sold drummers sticks with a metal shaft at their core and replaceable sleeves and tips. Some guys love them, but others find all that impact is being sent straight into their hands forearms and wrists giving them medical issues down the line. These may work for hard rock and metal players, but will take their toll on your cymbals and health.
Traditional grip drummers may find that they need to switch to a matched grip when playing rock as the traditional grip can injure them when pushed too hard. Jazz, country and folk drummers carry on… as the traditional grip is awesome to use and to watch.
But it does in the end boil down to which stick feels the best too you. Some drummers prefer sticks with a tacky finish, others prefer naked wood. Some drummers like the balance to be more forward while others prefer a back weighted stick. Some prefer a huge ball tip and others look for a thin olive tip. Oak, Bamboo, Nylon tip, wood or even brass its up to you. So try out something new when you can afford too. You may be delighted.
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