Have you ever been at your drum set, ripping through another productive practice session and felt… something just doesn’t feel right?
You look down at your drumsticks—only to wonder if they’re actually the right pair for you. Sound familiar?
If you're just starting out on your drumming journey, understanding drumstick sizes might seem like a small detail. But trust us—it can make a massive difference to how you play, how you feel behind the kit, and how you progress.
This guide will break it all down: the different drumstick sizes, what they mean, how they affect your playing, and how to choose the right sticks for you. No fluff. No jargon. Just helpful advice to get you feeling more confident, more comfortable, and more in control.
You might be tempted to grab any old pair of sticks from the music shop shelf or borrow a friend's battered spares. But here's the thing—drumsticks are like shoes. Too heavy, and you'll tire out quickly. Too light, and you’ll struggle to get the sound and control you’re after. Just like you wouldn’t run a marathon in ill-fitting trainers, you don’t want to build your skills with the wrong sticks.
Your stick choice affects:
Finding the right size helps you play longer, sound better, and, crucially, enjoy it more.
Ever seen a pair of sticks labelled 5A, 7A, or 2B and thought... huh?
Let’s decode that.
In today’s world, these designations are mostly used to indicate feel rather than function. Here are the most common types beginners come across:
Think of 5A as your go-to starting point. From there, it’s all about what feels right.
It's not just about size. Let’s talk about the other bits of the stick that affect how they feel and sound.
Most drumsticks are made from one of three types of wood:
This affects the sound you get—especially on cymbals.
Again, there’s no one-size-fits-all. It’s worth trying a few combinations to see what matches your playing style and sound goals.
Here’s a simple way to narrow it down:
If you want 👉 Try…
A balanced, all-round option 👉 5A sticks
A lightweight stick for speed or small hands 👉 7A sticks
A heavier stick for power 👉 5B or 2B sticks
A brighter cymbal sound 👉 Nylon tip sticks
More control and faster rebound 👉 Hickory or maple wood
Still unsure? That’s totally normal. The best way to choose is to try. If you can, visit a music store and get a feel for different sticks. Or better yet—use your practice time to experiment with different sticks and track how they affect your playing.
Related read: How to correctly hold your drumsticks
Finding your perfect pair of sticks is important. But so is how you use them. That’s where practice comes in—and not the boring kind.
With Melodics, you can learn to play in a way that’s fun, rewarding, and tailored to your level. Our app isn’t about grinding scales or drumming alone in silence. It’s about playing music, developing technique through songs you love, and watching your skills grow with real-time feedback.
You’ll discover how different sticks feel on different beats. How your dynamics shift. How certain sticks help you fly through ghost notes or power through fills. And you’ll feel the improvement—session by session.
Choosing drumsticks isn’t a once-and-done decision. As you grow as a drummer, your preferences might change—and that’s a good thing.
What matters now is starting with something comfortable, something that makes you want to practise. Because confidence isn’t just about technique. It’s about how you feel when you sit down to play.
So grab a pair that feels good in your hands. Fire up Melodics. And start discovering what your sound really feels like.
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