Julia Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 (edited) If you have too many various different pairs of sticks like I do, here's a way you can mix up your practices and challenge yourself on a number of levels: Get someone else to choose the sticks you're using in your practice session. You could truly randomize the stick choice by assigning each pair a number and using a number randomizer or rolling dice, but why not go for the ultimate challenge of subjecting yourself to people's whims and moods? 😄 My husband drum tech had gotten a number of pairs of sticks that just ended up assimilated into my collection, so I have all of these sticks just lying around, some of them more suited to his hands and tastes than mine...which is a good way to develop awareness of my grip and technique (or lack thereof). This evening, after asking me where my taiko sticks were (smart aleck that he is), my other half chose his Vater Sugar Maple Super Jazz sticks for my practice. My first reaction: Oh crap, they're untaped. Next reaction: too bad, you made up this challenge. To sum up the experience: I had to pay close attention to my grip because of the lack of tape and the Unbearable Lightness of Maple. Maple sticks bounce very nicely off of cymbals, including the bell, great for Basics of Groove #15 which involves the ride bell. Despite the impressive bounce, they sounded a bit odd on the cymbals compared to my usual sticks so I had to ignore that and focus on my playing. Fulcrum and drop/grab were tricky. (Actually, the drop part was super easy -- sticks right down to the floor. 🙄 I really do love my stick tape.) I was forced to pay attention to my dynamics. My tendency was to want to bang harder to make up for the light sticks -- silly idea. Then I started to appreciate the nice sound of maple when I play softly. I could feel how the stick weight affected speed and rebound; subtle differences from my usual sticks had me more alert and focused. Stay tuned for next time to find out what sticks my spouse chooses for me and whether I meet the challenge or throw the sticks out the window 😁 Edited March 25, 2022 by Julia 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Nice and creative idea. I switched to maple maybe a year ago and I'm sticking to it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 1 hour ago, Juan said: Nice and creative idea. I switched to maple maybe a year ago and I'm sticking to it. Sticking to it! I see what you did there🤣 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 5 hours ago, Julia said: Stay tuned for next time to find out what sticks my spouse chooses for me and whether I meet the challenge or throw the sticks out the window 😁 Maybe throw the spouse out the window and pick whatever stick you want? This is a great idea except my spouse has NO interest in what drumstick I use apparently "they're all the same aren't they??" I'm regularly changing from 7A's with acorn tips to 7A's with nylon tips to 7A's with barrel tips to rute505's to hot rods to brushes to mallets all in the course of one service so I get the chance to change my sound all the time but for those of you who stick (there it is!) with the same ones all the time this could be a very beneficial exercise cool idea Julia! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 6 hours ago, Julia said: This evening, after asking me where my taiko sticks were (smart aleck that he is), my other half chose his Vater Sugar Maple Super Jazz sticks for my practice. My first reaction: Oh crap, they're untaped. Next reaction: too bad, you made up this challenge. My wife handed me a mallet and a Vic Firth AJ6. Fortunately she didn’t see the brushes. Anyway I practiced with them. The results led me to believe that matched pairs of sticks are highly overrated. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 I like this idea but, like Sean, my wife wouldn't join in so I might just randomise the selection. I do like the idea on mixing and matching like Bob did. I like it when I see a drummer using a stick and a brush... or a shaker... so I should try it. Great idea this @Julia 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 I tend to believe that as with sports gear, those details that are the difference between the winners and the rest at competition level, not only do not make me any better, but I don't even notice any difference 🤘😅 Saved a lot of money over the years on gear designed for top competition levels, that I would use recreationally. Except if it is pretty and I want it, I need it, I must have it 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 It's all about the sound you get ...if it's the right sound it's the right sound! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Juan maybe change your quote to.....We are what we repeatedly want. Excellence then is not practice but a purchase! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 I'm currently learning Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" and, for some reason, I often end up crashing the sticks together on the hi-hat and losing one. When that happens I have to just grab any old stick from the bag and carry on playing with it. That can get challenging if it's a heavier stick but I suppose it all helps muscle buildup 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 7 minutes ago, Sean said: Juan maybe change your quote to.....We are what we repeatedly want. Excellence then is not practice but a purchase! You read that?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 I love this idea. I dig how this gets us out of our comfort zone and makes us focus more. I have several different sets of sticks in my bag that I never use. Like others, my girlfriend wouldn't have a clue, so I believe I'll use a method that @Stephen has suggested for marking pairs and then just randomize it with dice or something. Thanks, Julia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Jojo Mayer agrees 🙂 Playing the ride with a Jingle Stick Here's the video 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 4 minutes ago, David said: Jojo Mayer agrees 🙂 Playing the ride with a Jingle Stick Here's the video I love the way Jojo plays and that snare tone is KILLER! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 2 minutes ago, Bob said: I love the way Jojo plays and that snare tone is KILLER! Yes, he is so fluid. There's a great TED talk that he did, the Brush playing at the end is just wonderful 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chantale Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Good idea @Julia, I'll see what it's like to play with lighter sticks, maybe with a little more experience I'll start to like it or even, I'll just enjoy my 1a even more more. 🥁🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 24 minutes ago, David said: There's a great TED talk that he did, the Brush playing at the end is just wonderful A double thank you David! This is a great video. Jojo's re-engineering of digital drums for live acoustic performance is one of the great trends in modern drumming. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Posted March 26, 2022 Author Share Posted March 26, 2022 (edited) I have not ventured into the mismatched stick idea, do so at your own risk! If you try this, though, I hope that you will post your experience and outline the benefits and pitfalls for us. ***** Hmm, if you've got wet blankets around you that won't choose sticks, I thought of some options: 1 - Upload an image of your sticks, numbered or color coded, to this thread. Then when you ask "which sticks?" you can go with the first of us that answers you. Maybe we can work out a system here, suggestions? 2 - Text a more cooperative friend with said image so they can pick. 3 - Make your nearest wet blanket choose a pair anyway, it will be like a random choice except you get the amusement and satisfaction of annoying them. Blindfold them and make them choose the first pair they touch. 4 - My husband will choose for you. He doesn't seem to mind. ***** 15 hours ago, Sean said: Maybe throw the spouse out the window and pick whatever stick you want? Nah, he's got his uses 😉 He also just learned to make these incredible noodle dishes, I'm married to Iron Chef Noodles now. No way am I giving that up. ***** @David I love Jojo Mayer. I have his signature sticks as well as his instructional DVD which is as fascinating and entertaining as it is instructional. I don't buy a lot of drumming instructional materials, but his is a must-have. @Christine Thank you for being a fellow crasher-together-of-the-sticks person <high-five> I feel seen and validated. And I love that Stevie Nicks album, it was one of the first albums I owned when I became musically aware. @chantale It definitely does make me appreciate the good qualities of my favorite sticks to try this challenge. I hope, though, that I will become more flexible and cling less to my favorites. I have a feeling that I will never want to give up stick taping, though. I mean, I have purple electrical tape for them now...life is good, and I agree with @Juan that pretty things matter 😄 Edited March 26, 2022 by Julia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 26, 2022 Share Posted March 26, 2022 I love number 3, @Julia. I believe I'll be doing that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted March 26, 2022 Share Posted March 26, 2022 Cool challenge. Even though I hoard sticks, I only keep two "playable" pairs one for the pad and one for the kit so there wouldn't be much of a choice in my case. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 26, 2022 Share Posted March 26, 2022 Tagged my sticks and got the girlfriend to agree to picking my pair for the day. We'll see how it goes next week. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 My 7 year old grandson has picked my sticks...He chose the sticks that light up and change colors with every hit. They're long, heavy, but REALLY fun! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 I ended up doing my practice with drum mallets yesterday amongst other things... and it was fun, very different. Very tip heavy so you have to adjust how you play, I reduced the fulcrum and played all wrist-hinge. It forced me to play very clean, single fills. It changes the sound of everything, lot of fun, time to get your prog on 🙂 It also forces you to move cleanly round the kit as the heads of the mallets will clash as they are so big. I'll do this again 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 @Cynthia Your grandson’s choice is a good one, and I am insanely jealous that you have sticks that light up and change colors. @David This is next-level experimentation. I like that mallets made you play clean singles and move carefully, and the sound change is intriguing. Are we witnessing the beginning of the Mallet Band? 😉 @Hercules I admire your stick minimalism. I’m too curious about drumsticks for that kind of discipline. Fortunately, my desire to buy new pairs of sticks is weaker than what it used to be…although not completely gone. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 33 minutes ago, Julia said: @Cynthia Your grandson’s choice is a good one, and I am insanely jealous that you have sticks that light up and change colors. Lol...Be jealous no more, @Julia! Here's a link to your color-filled drum session: https://www.amazon.com/PAIR-ROCKSTIX-PRO-COLOUR-CHANGING/dp/B00IA04EPY 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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