TMe
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I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer..!
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« on: June 14, 2002, 09:46 AM » |
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I'm finding that I really prefer small sticks these days, like Vic Firth Studio or HeadHunters AA.
On the electronic kit they're fine, but when I go to the acoustic kit I have big problems with the snare drum. To get a good tone, I have to hit so hard the sticks can't take it. Rim shots are out of the question, because the sticks will break.
What can I do about this? I see Jazzers using tiny sticks, and they get good sound out of the snare.
Should I be changing technique or equipment?
Maybe a piccalo drum?
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"Some people say I ain't so super groovy. Why don't I leave the music alone?" Black Uhuru
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BAnimalG
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The Animal is in the house...and he's hungry!
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« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2002, 09:53 AM » |
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I would suggest a piccolo or just some sort of metal shelled snare. I, personally, have a 14 x 3.5" bell-brass shelled snare, that I barely have to touch to get a killer response out of. Another suggestion would be changing heads. I don't know what you are using, but that may be part (or all) of the problem. I don't mean just putting a new head of the same kind either, try a different style or brand. That's what I have just done, went from a Remo Powerstroke III to the Aquarian equivalent, and found that it improved the sound and output of the drum tremendously. Good luck!
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SheldonWhite
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« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2002, 01:18 PM » |
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I'd check out your snaredrum heads and tuning. I use fairly small sticks (Zildjian Jazz model) and I have no trouble getting a good rimshot on any of my snares. |
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clearseawater
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« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2002, 09:24 AM » |
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TME, do you play trad grip ?
I say this because I used to play trad and I used to angle the snare away from me(just like Buddy) and it would allow for a great variety of "shots" with very little effort .
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Peter Jeffery
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« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2002, 06:16 PM » |
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I was giving this some thought just yesterday. We played an afternoon show at an annual festival for the Canadian Navy. Following that show, we played three more sets at a club. For the first time in a while I used a very light stick.... Zildjian's Bill Stewart Artist Series Model. I couldn't believe they lasted the whole day....I'm known to HIT my drums!
I've never played a stick that I would refer to as being physically flexible before...but the Stewart stick bends! Maybe that's why it lasted. I do enjoy playing light sticks so I'll be checking that model out a whole lot more. You might want to check out a pair.
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Peter Jeffery
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TMe
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I am evil Homer, I am evil Homer..!
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« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2002, 08:29 AM » |
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Clearseawater, I play with matched grip, which I think is part of the problem. That, and the fact that I used to bash the hell out of a Ludwig steel snare with a kevalar head and oversized sticks. Old habits die hard, but I'm trying to get in touch with my inner adult, these days.
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"Some people say I ain't so super groovy. Why don't I leave the music alone?" Black Uhuru
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rlhubley
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« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2002, 09:08 AM » |
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It's not the stick(although that 'can' help), it's the technique. You should be able to get good rimshot from any stick in the normal size ranges. Listen to Tito Puente(or any timbale player) rimshots all over the place, w/tiny sticks.
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Theo
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« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2002, 12:45 PM » |
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I've been using Vic Firth 7a's for years now, they are about the smallest major brand stick I can find.
I think the sound might be a combination of not what you are accustomed to and maybe you haven't adjusted your other body parts to match.
I have become a quieter drummer over the past few years, moving to the 7a sticks was part of the conscious effort I made to control my volume. But I had to adjust my feet, cymbal technique etc. It just kind of came with time.
I never noticed a negative influence on my snare though, and my sticks last really well despite the fact that I play with a lot of rim shots.
So in conclusion... maybe try some different sticks, and give it a little time.
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marker
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« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2002, 05:56 PM » |
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Try Pro Mark oak sticks, in the size you prefer. You won't have to be afraid of the rimshots. Avoid the hickory ones.
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nullify_drummer
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« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2002, 06:41 PM » |
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I had the same problem and then I tried the pro-mark oak, it made a world of difference. with me bein a kid I play hard, I dont beat my drums but I pull every bit of sound outta my set. another thing I did was I put my snare about an inch off to the my right and angled it towards my left leg (for a right hand set up, left handed set up would be the exact oposite) it worked for me too, cause my snare has to be in the same exact spot every time. I'm picky about it.
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