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Aside from your kit and cymbals, your sticks are an obvious, but essential component to your playing. Courtesy of Rhythm Magazine, here are a few pointers about getting the most from your sticks: from picking the rights ones to using them effectively…

10 quick drum stick tips

1. Same tree, different part

Although white wood sticks are popular, brown timber is usually just as good. It just comes from a different part of the tree trunk.

2. Don't be snobbish

Look for cut-price 'seconds' by the major manufacturers. These are often good sticks, which don't quite make the highest criteria.

3. Don't just look for brands

Also check out British-made sticks by Shaw and other companies, which are sometimes unbranded.

4. Are you heavy handed?

If you break a lot of sticks try a heavier model or a type with a thicker neck and shoulder.

5. Alter your angles

You might want to alter the angle of your crash cymbals as well so they don't continually cut into your sticks.

Next: sizes, synthetic vs wood, sweaty hands and sandpaper

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