Buy The Best Drumsticks & Percussion Gear With This Great Checklist!
Drumsticks and mallets sorted by percussion section:
This checklist of percussion essentials will help you find the best drumsticks and be prepared for anything related to drumming: Drumset, drumline, or concert percussion! These items are sorted by section, so check out what you might need by your instrument. Check the gear out below…
Drumset / Concert:
The Innovative Percussion drumset drumsticks are perfect for withstanding the durability test of the drumset and cymbals! These drumset drumsticks are good quality drumsticks for beginners and seasoned drummers alike. Designed for use on the drumset, these sticks have a nice steady taper and pronounced bead with a diameter that is standard for the industry (5A and 2B). A drum pad is a great investment for practicing at home without a drumset! You can simply use a pillow, or your bed, but the drum pad would be a little bit more realistic option, especially for working on good technique habits! You might also want a nice quality drumstick bag if you plan to bring multiple pairs of sticks to and from your lessons. The Innovative Percussion stick bag has several interior pockets for your sticks and is made of heavy-duty material that will keep your drumsticks safe!
In addition to the above items, you might want to buy a binder or folder, perhaps with some page protectors, a notebook, and a pencil. Drum keys are definitely a must-have item if you own your own drumset at home, this is how you tune each drum head. Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other drumset items you may find useful would be a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a phillips head screwdriver for tuning your snare strainer, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find (for traveling to lessons or other locations with your gear), and a 14″ drum mute to put on your home’s snare drum and use it as a practice pad!
Snareline:
The IP FS-BK snare sticks are the marching snare drum best drumsticks because of their flattened bead. This flat bead allows the most surface area to contact the drum head when played. These will be your primary sticks and, though the minimum is one pair, you should consider buying at least two pairs. Tape these sticks in white stick-tape to cover the entire stick (minus the bead). Taping the whole stick allows for protection against back sticking rimshots as well as overall implement protection. The IP-1 General snare sticks are basically a smaller version of the main FS-BK stick (well, actually, the FS-BK’s are a bigger version of the IP-1 sticks). The bead is also flattened and will contact the drum head with the most surface area. Do not tape this stick at all, the stick is only used for lighter passages and will not be used for rimshots.
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a phillips head screwdriver for tuning your snare strainer, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, a 14″ drum mute to put on your drum and use it as a practice pad, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Tenorline:
The TS-2 nylon-tipped tenor sticks are the best drumsticks for tenor drummers since they allow for a much more controlled sound compared to the FT-1 tenor mallet. These are both great implements for tenor drummers to use. The sticks are easier to move because they are lighter and more versatile but the mallets create a full quality sound at every dynamic. Use the white stick tape to cover below the tip to about 1/3 of the way down the neck. You will not be playing rimshots with the butts of these sticks so they do not have to be taped the whole way down. These sticks should last an entire season so you may get by with only ordering one pair.
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, the Quadratics book for a better understanding of the tenor drums, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a crescent wrench for adjusting and fixing your tenors or carrier, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, a full tenor drum pad to be able to practice at home without bringing the drums, a 12″ drum mute to put on drum 2 and use it as a practice pad, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Bassline:
When you are given your mallets (shown below) you should tape them using white, or sometimes black, stick tape. Tape from below the bead/mallet head to about 1/3 the way down. We don’t ever use the butts of these mallets so protection below that point is not necessary. The bassline uses black tape so that the mallet can easily be seen from far away, this makes it easier to correct if it is not in the center (allowing for earlier muscle memory).
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a crescent wrench for adjusting and fixing your drum or carrier, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a drum pad for practicing and auditioning for the snare or tenor line, drumsticks for practicing and auditioning for the snare or tenor line, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Pit / Front Ensemble / Concert Mallets:
You will want to buy a binder with page protectors, and a pencil. Timpanists may want to purchase their own tuner, but is not a requirement. Drum keys are optional as you may or may not be tuning the accessory drums (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a drum pad for practicing and auditioning for the drumline, drumsticks for practicing and auditioning for the drumline, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Please make sure you have the right items you need. Practicing with the wrong implements, or without certain implements, will negatively affect the learning process because your technique could drastically change. You should also make sure to have spare sticks or mallets because they may break or become damaged due to the nature of the activity.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me!
Buy The Best Drumsticks & Percussion Gear With This Great Checklist!
Drumsticks and mallets sorted by percussion section:
This checklist of percussion essentials will help you find the best drumsticks and be prepared for anything related to drumming: Drumset, drumline, or concert percussion! These items are sorted by section, so check out what you might need by your instrument. Check the gear out below…
Drumset / Concert:
The Innovative Percussion drumset drumsticks are perfect for withstanding the durability test of the drumset and cymbals! These drumset drumsticks are good quality drumsticks for beginners and seasoned drummers alike. Designed for use on the drumset, these sticks have a nice steady taper and pronounced bead with a diameter that is standard for the industry (5A and 2B). A drum pad is a great investment for practicing at home without a drumset! You can simply use a pillow, or your bed, but the drum pad would be a little bit more realistic option, especially for working on good technique habits! You might also want a nice quality drumstick bag if you plan to bring multiple pairs of sticks to and from your lessons. The Innovative Percussion stick bag has several interior pockets for your sticks and is made of heavy-duty material that will keep your drumsticks safe!
In addition to the above items, you might want to buy a binder or folder, perhaps with some page protectors, a notebook, and a pencil. Drum keys are definitely a must-have item if you own your own drumset at home, this is how you tune each drum head. Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other drumset items you may find useful would be a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a phillips head screwdriver for tuning your snare strainer, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find (for traveling to lessons or other locations with your gear), and a 14″ drum mute to put on your home’s snare drum and use it as a practice pad!
Snareline:
The IP FS-BK snare sticks are the marching snare drum best drumsticks because of their flattened bead. This flat bead allows the most surface area to contact the drum head when played. These will be your primary sticks and, though the minimum is one pair, you should consider buying at least two pairs. Tape these sticks in white stick-tape to cover the entire stick (minus the bead). Taping the whole stick allows for protection against back sticking rimshots as well as overall implement protection. The IP-1 General snare sticks are basically a smaller version of the main FS-BK stick (well, actually, the FS-BK’s are a bigger version of the IP-1 sticks). The bead is also flattened and will contact the drum head with the most surface area. Do not tape this stick at all, the stick is only used for lighter passages and will not be used for rimshots.
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a phillips head screwdriver for tuning your snare strainer, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, a 14″ drum mute to put on your drum and use it as a practice pad, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Tenorline:
The TS-2 nylon-tipped tenor sticks are the best drumsticks for tenor drummers since they allow for a much more controlled sound compared to the FT-1 tenor mallet. These are both great implements for tenor drummers to use. The sticks are easier to move because they are lighter and more versatile but the mallets create a full quality sound at every dynamic. Use the white stick tape to cover below the tip to about 1/3 of the way down the neck. You will not be playing rimshots with the butts of these sticks so they do not have to be taped the whole way down. These sticks should last an entire season so you may get by with only ordering one pair.
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, the Quadratics book for a better understanding of the tenor drums, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a crescent wrench for adjusting and fixing your tenors or carrier, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, a full tenor drum pad to be able to practice at home without bringing the drums, a 12″ drum mute to put on drum 2 and use it as a practice pad, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Bassline:
When you are given your mallets (shown below) you should tape them using white, or sometimes black, stick tape. Tape from below the bead/mallet head to about 1/3 the way down. We don’t ever use the butts of these mallets so protection below that point is not necessary. The bassline uses black tape so that the mallet can easily be seen from far away, this makes it easier to correct if it is not in the center (allowing for earlier muscle memory).
In addition to the above items, you will want to buy a binder with page protectors, a dot book, and a pencil. It is also recommended that you have a drum pad with you to use (but not required). High-tension drum keys are also optional as you may or may not be tuning your own drum (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a crescent wrench for adjusting and fixing your drum or carrier, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a drum pad for practicing and auditioning for the snare or tenor line, drumsticks for practicing and auditioning for the snare or tenor line, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Pit / Front Ensemble / Concert Mallets:
You will want to buy a binder with page protectors, and a pencil. Timpanists may want to purchase their own tuner, but is not a requirement. Drum keys are optional as you may or may not be tuning the accessory drums (section leaders will decide this). A decent towel is always a good idea for when it rains and the equipment gets wet (and it will definitely rain), might want to get a light rain jacket too, and maybe even a dry bag for your sensitive gear! Everyone should also consider downloading a good phone metronome app.
Some other marching band essentials that you may find useful, but are not required would be an Information Packet book for a full understanding of how rehearsals are run, a standalone metronome so you don’t have to rely on a phone app or worry about damaging it, a pair of cheaper headphones to practice with your metronome, a drum pad for practicing and auditioning for the drumline, drumsticks for practicing and auditioning for the drumline, a quick and easy water bottle, a bright backpack that’s easy to find, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can buy a GoPro with a drum mount! (Check out the GoPro and drum mount article to learn even more.)
Please make sure you have the right items you need. Practicing with the wrong implements, or without certain implements, will negatively affect the learning process because your technique could drastically change. You should also make sure to have spare sticks or mallets because they may break or become damaged due to the nature of the activity.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me!