Best drumsticks, mallets & brushes according to redditors

To echo what others have said, I couldn't have played drums to save my life when I first played Rock Band. I would fail songs on medium. Now I'm actually a pretty decent drummer, at least for someone who has never owned an acoustic kit.

The key is not to expect Rock Band to teach you everything, which you seem to have figured out already. Rock Band combined with independent research on actual playing techniques (grip, sticking, the parts of the kit, etc.) will absolutely turn you into a passable drummer, just as it did for me.

A couple suggestions: first, get some new sticks. Even the better Rock Band sticks are okay at best. You're not tearing them up on tour every night; you can splurge on something nicer like these. The dip is really nice if you're prone to dropping them, and the nylon tips won't wear the way wooden ones sometimes do.

Second, get a practice pad. A book on sticking patterns like this one can be valuable too but isn't crucial. A practice pad lets you practice sticking patterns. A few minutes a day playing to a metronome will make a big difference. As you improve, you can gradually raise the BPM of the metronome and train yourself to be faster.

Carbosticks are way fucking cheaper and are pretty awesome. I've had two pair and they last a reeeeeally long time, and it's interesting because they don't shear or splinter like wood but all of a sudden, one day, they snap. Still though, I'm a big fan, especially for my electronic kit

I don't have an expanse of knowledge on drumsticks but I use Vic Firth Extreme 5AN sticks. I play lots of heavy stuff and am really rough with them, but they last quite long whilst being really light and comfortable to use. They have nylon tips but making the switch between wood and nylon tip didn't have much of an effect on me personally. I know there's a difference but as I said I'm not an aficionado so I wouldn't know the exact pros and cons.

I have the bass pedal set so that it sits like 2" away from the head to reduce volume. It doesn't feel terrible, but it doesn't feel great. I've basically given up hope at this point that I can replicate the authentic feel of a kit

heads: http://www.amazon.com/Remo-SN0014-00-Silentstroke-Mesh-14-Inch/dp/B00F595A10

something like this.. combined with good control.. no problemo!

​

https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-VKB3-Drumsticks/dp/B00IN7EFM6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_267_t_1/144-4849264-4705346?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E87KJES9G6F0QFN8XD46

$7.40 on amazon if you've got prime, Guitar center has them ~$6.

Shouldn't have to spend more than $9 on a decent pair of all-around sticks.

just save up a few hundred bucks and keep an eye on craigslist. and if you are stuck in an apartment grab a mesh head for silent snare practice and hammer down on rudiments. Mesh Heads

the most basic kit you would really want is a snare a high hat and a bass drum but for like 3-400 you would most likely get a full 5 piece with a couple crashes and a ride off craigslist.

5b is pretty middle of the road, but I prefer 5as because they are lighter.

Here's my stick of choice:

http://amzn.com/B0002F741Q

Notice that I don't get the nylon tips. I like how they sound on the ride, but I used to have problems with the tips popping off, and the next thing I know I have a ton of little dents in my drum heads.

hi i bought these, ROSENICE Drumstick 1 Pair Maibachi Taiko Wood Tip Drumstick Master Drum Sticks(Black) My score has def increased, plus you dont have to beat your drum to death. Very smooth - ps4

Sure thing buddy.

Here's a good drum throne

Standard sticks

And pretty decent Bluetooth headphones. Although I haven't figured out how to use these headphones wirelessly with my kit, they're still really comfortable, with great sound. If you're on a budget, there's a set of wired headphones on that website for $19.99 that are supposed to be pretty good.

You mean like a Vic Firth 5A? You can get them on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vic-Firth-5A-American-Drumsticks/dp/B0002F741Q

If he is a shaver, get him a beard. Or a hot shave at a nice barber. I had one once, was kinda cool if you like having a babies face.

If he is a drummer(which he is) maybe drumsticks? Like these? I think you can use those for drumming. I'm not musical so I dunno :p. Or perhaps Neil Peart - Taking Center Stage. There is a special with the book(pretty cool, it has photo's and diagrams of all his different setups and such) AND a set of DVDs from assorted Rush tours.

If he likes Xbox 360, get him a Playstation :p

If he likes burlesque...pass.

If he likes to cook, but cookbooks aren't the best option...what do you guys have for knives? A man will always appreciate a knife, a cooking man even more. Show me what you've got and I'd be of more use regarding this one than anything else.

You live in a great area for beer and live music. I don't know his beer feelings, but a day of brewery tastings would get my pants down in a hurry. Or tickets to a show. Or beer, tickets to a show, and my pants down!

Vic Firth Pad (good and simple)

Vic Firth SD1's are nice for beginners

If you want to stick with Vic Firth, check out VF 55a sticks, they treat me well. I generally steer away from 5bs, I feel like they are a bit clunky (but that’s just personal preference). With regards to stick quality, I really like the promarks. Undoubtedly better qual than most Vic firths. Got this pair a week ago and it’s holding really well and plays nice: https://www.amazon.com/Promark-PW747W-Japanese-Shira-Autograph/dp/B000EEHKHI?tag=equipboard-posts-157-20&SubscriptionId=AKIAJNPAI32UDCKLKDGA&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000EEHKHI
Also taking into consideration how fast you’re wearing down your sticks, might want to take a look at your technique or even your drum heads. If you’re sure that’s not the problem, you could buy ‘Metal’ sticks: they are made to be durable. I think Vic Firth offers them, and maybe also Zildjian (although I think they should stick to cymbals- don’t really like their sticks)
Good luck with everything.

Vic Firth: SD1 General

Practiced with them then ended up using them all the time once the band started getting more used to the heavy-hitting sound.

The place I got them from no longer has them, but they're called Carbosticks, and you can get them from Amazon.

Granted, they weigh significantly more than normal sticks, and feel different, but they're very usable and will not break for a loooong time.

Practice pad or these guys:
https://www.amazon.com/VicFirth-Universal-Rubber-Practice-Tips/dp/B00U05V0L8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511057393&sr=8-1&keywords=practice+pad+tips

What kind of sizzler is that? I have rivets in one of mine and then just a promark rattler. Always looking to find something better. http://www.amazon.com/Promark-S22-Cymbal-Sizzler/dp/B000EEJ6OI

Hotrods.

Downsize your set a bunch as well.

playing with a bundle of rods

Edit: I’m looking at you promark h rods

Hey there,

Here are a few things that might be helpful.

1 - Get a percussion mallet. Essentially a stick with a ball on the end. The ball should be hard drubber and not wood or felt. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Shappy-Mallets-Glockenspiel-Sticks-Percussion/dp/B075LN9V1L

2 - Buy a cheap violin or cello bow...don't spend too much.
This would probably be fine. https://www.amazon.com/Violin-Stunning-Carbon-Fiber-Violins/dp/B01J19ABGI

3 - Buy some rosin for the bow, you'll need it!

Practicing:
First, just start with the mallet. Get a drone/single note playing on your phone or on a keyboard with a note that is loud enough for you to hear well. Try and play the note on the saw by striking the blade with the mallet and bending the saw into an S-shaped curve. Bend up into the note from below, then bend down into the note from above. Do that a bunch, then change the note and do it with a different note.

After you can do that reliably for different notes, try playing a simple melody with the drone...twinkle twinkle, silent night, etc...keep the drone going and really listen, try to stay in tune as best you can.

Once you get a sense of how to find notes when playing with the mallet, try out the bow. Make sure to rosin up the bow pretty good as it will give the bow more bite on the blade. Focus on keeping the bow perpendicular to the flat (non-teeth) side of the saw. Play a note and let it rig by talking the bow off the blade. Practice playing a major scale (do that with the mallet too).

Take care to keep your left hand relaxed (the hand on the tip of the saw blade) it's so easy to create a lot of tension in your body when first learning, and you want to be relaxed. Also, when you bend the saw into the S-curve shape, it doesn't have to be bent too much....again, just try to keep your hand/arm relaxed. Try to find the minimum amount of pressure/tension that you need to get a good sound.

Also, very important, it's fucking tiring at first, so limit your practice time to 10 minutes. Listen to your body. If your hand is hurting, take a break.

I taught myself from this book about 25 years ago, might be a good place to start for you. Fair warning, the book is super cheesy with lots of bad saw-related puns. But it has all the info you need on how to get started. https://www.amazon.com/Scratch-My-Back-Pictoral-History/dp/096208820X

Finally, here's a little arrangement I made of Are You Lonesome Tonight with a saw/saxophone accompaniment, came out pretty good!
https://soundcloud.com/andrewinnes/are-you-lonesome

Here's anther arrangement I did of a hymn: https://soundcloud.com/andrewinnes/doxology

Have fun!

I'm looking to buy maibachi, but I only see two choices with Prime on Amazon.

Which of these is "better"?:
https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-ROSENICE-Maibachi-Drumsticks-Purple/dp/B075M9S4DT/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=maibachi&qid=1557031706&s=gateway&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/ROSENICE-Drumstick-Maibachi-Master-Sticks/dp/B072LXDWD8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=maibachi&qid=1557031706&s=gateway&sr=8-1

​

Or would I just be fine with either of them?

I'm not sure if you are looking for a sample, or if you want to create that sound acoustically, but to me it sounds a little bit like these gently tapping the snare. Or possibly, brushes.

I gotta ask this too:

Drum Sticks? I've heard something about "go rubber core", but any reason for that? I have a set my brother has that are different than the RB ones, but I'm not opposed to just sticking to them.

Research pointed me to: Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drum Sticks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002F741Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.2oQBb03G7J7V

I would hang a ball chain off the threaded stud personally

http://www.amazon.com/Promark-S22-Cymbal-Sizzler/dp/B000EEJ6OI

Since we seem to be concerned about volume / hearing loss, might it make sense to bring a pair of hot rods? I can pick some up if drummers are up for using them. I'm not a drummer so I don't know how mood-killing they are - maybe sticks are preferable but I thought I'd suggest it.

Comparable to normal drumhead costs. I got the Remo Silentstrokes for everything:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F595A10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7td2DbV244D4M

For practicing at home, I really like the Evans RealFeel practice pad. I went for the 12" so I can use it in my extra snare stand easily.

As for sticks, you can either go for what feels the best for now or go on the heavier side for chops building as /u/justawildyaz said.

Personally, I love these ProMark Neil Peart signature sticks.

Good luck, newbie. Rock it.

Any particular reason why?
I use a Zildjian K Custom Dark Hi Hat 13" which makes significantly less noise than a normal 14" Hi Hat. On top of that I use Hot Rods that significantly dampens the noise.

Like amazon

sorry, misread your message... rubber tips, not cups ahah

​

https://www.amazon.com/VicFirth-Universal-Rubber-Practice-Tips/dp/B00U05V0L8/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1542500473&sr=8-11&keywords=vic+firth+practice

Would something like this help you?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792JWJCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_F8JOCb5ZVVY16

Also, I see you are using Vic Firth drumsticks. Consider these: Vic Firth American Classic Extreme 5AN -- nylon tip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002F4ZMC

And how about a leather case for your sticks: WerKens Hand Made Genuine Leather Drumstick Bag - DSB002 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756BXCKD

Caveat emptor: I am not a drummer. Just looking to help, one EDC at a time.

Note: to moderators... these are bare links; I’m not trying to profit by linking. Hope it’s not a faux pas to include links.

something similar

I'm thinking these drumsticks would go well on your WL.

While we're on the subject of practice pads, does anyone have any experience with the Vic Firth practice tips? The idea is that putting them on your sticks turns any surface into a practice pad. Thoughts, guys?

Vic Firth Universal Practice Tips 2-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U05V0L8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_4ajsxbHA26FXX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P8254DJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_F-NADbJC41D45

I just bought some new reso heads and saw these and figured why not give them a try.

http://www.amazon.com/Vater-VBVB-Vintage-Bomber-Beater/dp/B00080SEAU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407086014&sr=8-1&keywords=vater+vintage+bomber

or

http://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-VicKick-Beater-Covered/dp/B00IN7EFM6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407086047&sr=8-2&keywords=vickick

If you want lighter you'll have to just blow on the drum.

I have anti vibe sticks, they're amazing. Definitely try them! Zildjian makes them - https://www.amazon.com/Avedis-Zildjian-Company-Z5BA-Drumsticks/dp/B078LX18R9/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1538127883&sr=1-3&keywords=zildjian+antivibe

I would love to share the love by linking something cheap that is on my list to give to my boyfriend! I don't have anything for him yet and he is SO hard to shop for, but I am sure he would like this. Also, he deserves it because he stayed home from work today to finish all the laundry, vacuum, bathe the dogs and do the dishes so I didn't have to. I had a bad day and he wanted me to be able to relax when I got home!

These are on my CHRISTMAS wish list:
5a drumsticks for $6

I would guess that painting on them wouldn't be such a great idea, especially if he's playing on an acoustic kit. Now, there are a large variety of sticks that I like, but my two favourites are Vic Firth 5A American Classics and Headhunters Hickory B Grooves, which you can't get online, but I might be able to send you a pair.

Non-dipped sticks feel naked to me. They're always slipping out of my hand! Zildjian 5A Nylon Dip sticks for life.

If you just want a 'basic, all around' stick I would recommend SD1s from Vic Firth. They are a great, standard size stick that can be used for a lot of different purposes.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-SD1-General/dp/B0002F4TKA

​

If you want to immediately start out with marching percussion, the stick I would recommend starting with Ralph Hardimons also from Vic Firth.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-Corpsmaster-Signature-Hardimon/dp/B0002F6NJA?keywords=Corpsmaster+drum+sticks&qid=1540777270&s=Musical+Instruments&sr=1-1&ref=sr_1_1

​

There are other types of marching sticks with some different features that can be better or worse for you depending on what you are playing, your natural playing tendency and other things but these are sticks that have a nice weight, about the standard size for marching sticks and will help you while at least starting off and learning some of the basics.

​

As far as practice pad, I would recommend any double sided pad with two different types of material to play on. One that I have used for many, many years that I believe is a great pad is the double sided Reel Feel pad.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Evans-2-Sided-Practice-Pad-Inch/dp/B000FMDIXY

​

There are other pads than this that are also really good, I am not saying this is the "only" pad you should get, but that this pad will certainly work for what you need.

​

I hope this helps some.

Most of the noise that travels will be vibrations through the floor, especially from the bass pedal.

A tennis ball riser is a common solution (basically wood with tennis balls in between to help stop vibrations travelling through the floor). You would need to build it yourself though. Check our r/edrums for a recent post on constructing one.

I've used one for years and it helps a lot, but it doesn't stop the noise completely.

Roland have released something called noise eaters which apparently do the same thing. Pretty sure you can get them on Amazon but I don't know about how effective they are. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roland-NE-10-Noise-Eater-Drum/dp/B00IFIV2AQ You can get smaller pads too just for bass drum feet.

I swapped my bass drum pad for a Triggera Krigg (not on Amazon, but I think they will ship to Japan). It is quieter and I really like them, but some people may not like the feel. http://triggera.com/kick-pedal-trigger

You can get rubber tips for drum sticks. I had some for a while but I'm not sure they really helped, and I didn't like the feel. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TAMA-SILENT-TIPS-accessories-Drumsticks/dp/B000RVYV9I

As for the window. Thicker curtains may help a small amount but I wouldn't think it would be significant.

Honestly, the best thing you can do is either talk to your neighbours or ask a friend to stand around the building and let you know how bad it is.

I'm super cautious about making too much noise and annoying my neighbours. However they make plenty of noise themselves (at unsociable hours) and I never complain about that (to them)

Hey Paradigm84! Guess what. :) I ordered drum sticks and a practice pad. Everything should be here within the next week. I ordered the below items:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Evans-RealFeel-2-Sided-Practice-Pad/dp/B000FMDIXY/ref=sr_1_26_sspa?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1542754328&sr=1-26-spons&keywords=drum+practice+pad&psc=1
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Firth-American-Classic-Sticks/dp/B0002F741Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1542752754&sr=8-5&keywords=5A+drumsticks
   
   Your input helped me in getting this equipment. Thank you!

https://zildjian.com/sticks/artist-series/josh-dun-artist-series-drumsticks

https://www.amazon.com/Zildjian-Josh-Dun-Artist-Drumsticks/dp/B01MZ8S1G8

https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-ROSENICE-Maibachi-Drumsticks-Purple/dp/B075M9S4DT/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1543199934&sr=1-1&keywords=maibachi

There's also a cheaper option available!

This is why I almost exclusively play with Hot Rods
or brushes. I'm really self conscious about how loud I play anyways for some reason.

Maybe play with Hot Rods or brushes?