When starting out playing drums, try experimenting with different types & sizes of sticks.
Generally if you have big hands you will need bigger sticks, smaller hands = smaller sticks, although a lot will depend on the type of music you play. If you are mostly playing loud heavy rock music you are going to want heavier sticks and of course the opposite is true if you are playing light jazz music.
A good all round stick to use is a 5A. Over the years I have tried various sticks but always seem to revert back to using 5As.
Most drumsticks come with a choice of wood or nylon tips. The nylon tipped sticks will give more of a ‘pingy’ brighter sound than a wood tipped stick.
In recent times, hard plastic drumsticks have become available, notably made by a company called ‘Ahead’, however the vast majority of drummers still use wood sticks.
The major drumstick makes are: Pro Mark, Vic Firth, Vater, Regal Tip, Zildjian & Shaw Sticks. (Zildjian being more famous for cymbals).
As well as drumsticks you can also find brushes, hot rods (which are a ‘happy’ medium between brushes / sticks) & a variety of soft ended beaters.
My personal preference is Vic Firth 5A wood tip.
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