One of the most overlooked pieces of kit when it comes to drumming is the drumsticks. Lots of people will spend hours trying to find the right set of drums and cymbals for their needs, but not give much thought to the sticks they use. Did you know that the sound your drum kit produces will change depending on the drumsticks that you choose to play with? Especially if you’re new to drumming, it’s important to get the right piece of equipment for the sound that you’re hoping to achieve.
There are so many different drumsticks on the market that it can be tricky to choose between them all. Should you opt for classic wooden sticks or choose something synthetic? What thickness should you use? Which size drumsticks are best for beginners to use? There’s no need to get overwhelmed. We’ve done all the hard work for you so that you can find the best drumsticks for beginners.
We’ve researched and reviewed hundreds of drumsticks to find the best ones for your needs. Regardless of where you are on your journey to becoming the next big drumming rockstar, these drumsticks will be able to start you off on the right beat. Take a look at the best drumsticks for beginners below!
OUR TOP PICK
The Vic Firth American Classic 5A drumsticks easily earn the spot of our top pick. These drumsticks come from a reputable manufacturer and are well renowned for their quality. They are arguably one of the best selling drumsticks around the world because of this great quality. Many rock drummers cite them as their favorite drumsticks, so this makes them a worthy investment for those who have a particular passion for rock music.
What’s really great about these drumsticks is that they have a great all around size and weight. This makes the drumsticks more versatile, so you can adapt them to virtually any musical style. This versatility makes them a great pick for beginners in particular, as you may want to experiment with the music you practice before you settle into your preferred genre.
These particular drumsticks are size 5A. This is the standard drumstick for drummers, which makes them a great place to start for beginners. They’re not too thick or too thin, too long or too short. So you’ll be able to concentrate on getting your technique right before you start to experiment with the different drumstick sizes on the market.
Another great feature of these Vic Firth American Classic 5A drumsticks is their teardrop wooden tip. This makes them great for use on cymbals, as the teardrop shape provides a rich sound.
Pros:
- Versatile - can be used for a variety of music styles
- Standard 5A - perfect for beginners to get to grip with the basics
- Quality - made by a reputable manufacturer with quality materials
Cons:
- Breakage - some drummers found the sticks could break with heavy handed drumming
EDITORS CHOICE
The Donner 5A drumsticks are ideal for beginners. You’ll get 2 sets of quality drumsticks which have been designed to be strong and durable. These particular drumsticks have been constructed using North American maple wood which is naturally hardwearing. Because of this, the Donner 5A drumsticks are a great pick for beginners.
You’ll be able to focus on practicing your technique with these particular drumsticks. They have been designed to be smooth and comfortable when you use them, and won’t slip in your hands. So you can hold them confidently and be able to work on getting the best technique for your preferred music genre. This comfortable design also works to reduce wrist fatigue.
There’s no need to worry about losing the drumsticks when you’re not playing them. A carry bag is included with the drumsticks as standard so you can keep them both together. This also makes the drumsticks easier to carry to all of your lessons and gigs.
These particular drumsticks are the 5A size, which is perfect for beginners. You can also choose between 4 colors: black, white, yellow, or natural. This will be great for younger beginners who want to choose the drumsticks that best suit their tastes.
Pros:
- Durable - constructed using strong, durable North American maple wood
- Comfortable - smooth and easy to use
- Two sets - includes two sets of quality drumsticks with a handy carry bag
Cons:
- Lighter - some users found the drumsticks were on the lighter side
BEST VALUE
The ARLX 5A drumsticks are ideal for beginner drummers. These particular drumsticks are the 5A size, which will be the best place to start. They will be durable enough for rock drumming, but also versatile enough for playing other drum styles in lessons. These are the perfect drumsticks for youth rock bands and many more.
These particular drumsticks are easy and comfortable to use. They come complete with a natural finish, which makes them slip resistant. You won’t have to worry about accidentally dropping these drumsticks while you’re banging out the beat. They will also fit comfortably in your hands, making them easier to use.
You won’t have to stress about these drumsticks breaking easily. They have been manufactured using high quality North American maple wood. This makes them strong and sturdy, so will be suitable for use with beginners who are just getting to grips with drumming. These drumsticks are also light enough to give you the reactive resilience you need for jazz or orchestra pit work.
Another great feature of these ARLX 5A drumsticks is the fact that they are budget friendly. They are available at a much more affordable price than some competitive products. You also get two sets of drumsticks for the price of one. So even if your first set of drumsticks breaks within a few months, you have a second pair on hand.
Pros:
- Standard 5A - perfect for use with beginners who want to get to grips with drumming basics
- Comfortable - features a non-slip design
- Durable - constructed using strong, sturdy North American maple wood
Cons:
- Lighter - some drummers felt these drumsticks were on the lighter side for their taste
RUNNER UP
The KASEMI 5A non-slip drumsticks will give you everything you need to get drumming. These particular drumsticks feature the preferred size and style for beginners: 5A. These won’t be too long or too heavy for you to use, so you can focus on the practice at hand to improve your skills.
These particular drumsticks are lightweight. This makes them easy to hold in your hands, and easier to use during practice. These will be the perfect starting point for beginner drummers, as you can get to grips with the basics. The KASEMI drumsticks feature a wood tip. This gives the drumsticks a full, rich, more balanced sound.
An interesting feature of these particular drumsticks is that the coating is gloss-free. This helps to prevent the drumsticks from slipping in your hand while you use them. Great for making you feel more secure when you’re drumming - nobody wants a stick flying out of their hand in the middle of a gig.
You get to choose between four different colors with these drumsticks. Choose between black, blue, red, or yellow. This is a great feature for younger drummers in particular, as they can choose the color that best reflects their personal style.
Pros:
- Lightweight - easier to hold and maneuver when drumming
- Gloss-free - works to prevent slippage when you hold the drumsticks
- Multiple colors - choose between 4 great colors
Cons:
- Grips - some drummers found the grips had a tendency to slide off
RUNNER UP
Drummers who don’t opt for the Vic Firth drumsticks could choose ProMark classic forward 5A hickory drumsticks instead. Hickory is a durable material that some drummers prefer because of the heavy duty nature of the wood. Some drummers find the drumsticks made from hickory wood tend to last them longer. These particular drumsticks have used heat-tempering during the manufacturing process to create a set of highly durable drumsticks.
A great feature of these particular drumsticks is that they make use of a classic oval wood tip. This helps to produce a more full-bodied sound and warm tone. A great feature if you’re looking for a set of beginner’s drumsticks that can be used for a variety of different drumming styles and genres.
You can rest assured that you’re buying a quality set of drumsticks with the ProMark classic forward 5A drumsticks. ProMark is a brand that has a history of making quality drumsticks. These particular drumsticks have been designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in the USA. So you’ll know that you’re buying a quality set of drumsticks that will last you much longer than a cheap pair from abroad.
These particular drumsticks are the standard 5A size. This will be the perfect fit for beginners, as they allow you to get used to your drumming techniques before you branch out into other shapes or styles of drumsticks. However, there are also 2B, 5B, 747, and 7A styles available in this FireGrain style.
Pros:
- Standard 5A - the perfect size and style for beginners
- Hickory - highly durable for a superior set of drumsticks
- Oval wood tip - delivers a more full-bodied, warm tone
Cons:
- Lighter - some customers felt the drumsticks were a little light for their taste
Best Drumsticks for Beginners Buying Guide
Searching for the best drumsticks for beginners can be a real challenge. There are so many different types and styles to choose from. Not to mention all the different sizes and thicknesses! If you’re new to drumming, it can be confusing to know where you should start. You may be tempted to buy the cheapest set of drumsticks you can find. But these might not be ideal for getting you started with drumming.
There’s no need to worry. We’ve compiled a helpful list of everything you need to think about when it comes to finding the best drumsticks for beginners. As long as your chosen drumsticks are able to cover the below factors, you can rest assured that you’ll have the best equipment in your hands for allowing your drum skills to flourish.
Take a look at everything you need to know about the best drumsticks for beginners below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Size
One of the major factors to consider when choosing the best drumsticks for beginners is which size you want to get started with. There are several different sizes and styles of drumsticks. There are thinner and thicker styles, and each will produce a different sound with your drumset. The main sizes that drummers opt for include: 7A, 8D, 1A, 5A, 3A, 5B, and 2B.
The size best recommended for beginners is 5A. These are referred to as standard drumsticks. The overall size of 5A drumsticks makes them one of the more versatile styles, so can be used for different types of drumming. This versatility lends itself well to beginners who are more likely to try a variety of drumming styles before they settle on their favorite.
Typically, the number refers to the thickness of the drumstick. The lower the number, the thicker the stick. The letters were first introduced in the 1900s, and are typically A (orchestra), B (band), and D (dance band).
Drumstick tip
The next thing you’ll have to think about is the shape of the drumstick tip. There are 5 main types of drumstick tips that you will have to choose from, and each of them tends to produce a different sound. The bigger the surface of the tip that will come into contact with your drums, the less defined the sound will be. So a rounder bead will get a much more defined sound than an acorn bead.
The main types of drum tip are: oval, barrel, round, acorn, and teardrop. An oval tip will be a great place to start for a beginner, as this gives you a great middle between the precise sounds of a round or ball tip, and the warmer tones of an acorn tip.
Drumstick tips can also be made using different materials: wood or nylon. Wood is the most widespread material used for tips. It’s not as durable as nylon, however, it will be more than adequate for a beginner. Nylon tips produce a much brighter sound on cymbals, however, most people prefer the sound of wooden tips.
Material
Another important factor to consider is the material that’s been used for construction. You will want to choose a durable set of drumsticks that won’t break after the first few uses. Most drumsticks are made from wood, which will be perfectly suitable for beginners.
The most popular woods for drumsticks are hickory, maple, and oak. Hickory is considered to be the creme de la creme, as these sticks can produce a more balanced mixture of strength, density, and weight. Maple is one of the lightest woods used for drumsticks. These are ideal for beginners. Oak is perhaps one of the denser, heavier woods used. This tends to be used more for heavy hitters.
Some drumsticks are made from other materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber. These are much more expensive than the wooden varieties, but can be more durable. Wooden drumsticks will be more than adequate for beginner drummers.
Versatile
As a beginner, you may not know what style of drumming you prefer. As you get to grips with the basics, and put your knowledge to the test, you are likely to play through a variety of drumming styles. So it’s important that you choose a versatile set of drumsticks for your needs.
This will all come down to choosing the right size, material, and tip. As a beginner, you won’t need to opt for the more specialized sticks used for jazz drumming, or for heavier hitting. We’d suggest opting for a 5A set of maple sticks, with an oval tip. This should give you a quality set of all rounder drumsticks that will allow you to tackle a variety of drumming styles.
Non-slip
You won’t want your new drumsticks to slip from your grip while you practice. Not only will this be detrimental to your practice, it will quickly get annoying. Look for a set of drumsticks that don’t come with a slick, slippery coating. These drumsticks will be much easier to grip during practice, allowing you to focus more on your technique and getting everything just right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of drumsticks should a beginner use?
A beginner should use a set of 5A maple drumsticks with an oval tip. These will be more versatile than some of the more specialized drumsticks. This will allow a beginner to practice a variety of drumming styles and techniques before they settle on their preferred music genre.
What’s the difference between 5A and 7A drumsticks?
5A and 7A drumsticks differ in thickness. The number basically refers to the thickness of the wood. The lower the number, the thicker the drumstick. So 7A is thinner than 5A drumsticks. 7A drumsticks tend to be used for jazz.
Is the 5A or 5B drumstick thicker?
The 5B drumstick is slightly thicker than the 5A. 5B is great for rock and pop, as well as more energetic styles of drumming. 5A is a good all rounder, and more versatile than the 5B.