Ten Products That Will Improve Your Drum Stick Grip
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Improving your drum stick grip is essential for better control and precision in your drumming and reducing the risk of a badly timed stick drop in the middle of a performance.
Check out our guide to holding drum sticks in different grips here for a deeper dive into improving your technique.
There are lots of products available to help you improve your drum stick grip.
These include products that give you a bit more control over your drumsticks in sweaty situations, as well as products to help you work on your long term grip.
Here are ten products designed to enhance your drumstick grip:
1. Gorilla Snot Drum Stick Grip:
Gorilla Snot is a semi-solid, and sticky resin or wax that you apply to your fingertips, drumsticks, or other equipment to improve your drum stick grip and reduce slippage during playing.
It can be particularly useful in situations where your hands get sweaty, such as high energy performances or under hot stage lights.
Gorilla Snot is known for its long-lasting grip, which means you won't need to reapply it frequently during a performance.
It remains effective for a long time but is relatively easy to wash off your hands or equipment once you're done using it.
2. Vic Firth Stick Wax:
Produced by one of the most respected brands in the drumming industry, Vic Firth Stick Wax is designed to enhance your grip on your drumsticks by providing a tacky, non-slip surface that helps maintain control and prevent slippage.
Vic Firth Stick Wax helps absorb moisture from your hands, which is particularly useful when drumming in hot and sweaty conditions.
It also reduces the transmission of shock and vibration to your hands, making your playing more comfortable and controlled.
You can rub it onto your drumsticks, mallets or brushes and it adheres to the surface, without leaving a residue on your hands, making it easy to switch between sticks if needed.
You won't need to reapply it frequently during a performance or practice session, as it remains effective for an extended period, but it’s easy to clean off using a cloth. This ensures that you won't have a sticky residue on your equipment.
Vic Firth is a trusted name among drummers, and their stick wax is often chosen by professional and amateur drummers alike.
3. ProMark Stick Rapp:
Stick Rapp is manufactured by ProMark, a well-known brand in the world of drumming and percussion accessories.
You wrap it around your drumsticks where it creates a more tactile and non-slip grip.
Pro-Mark Stick Rapp can help absorb moisture from your hands. This is valuable in preventing your hands from getting sweaty during performances, which can lead to slippage.
It’s also durable, so you won't need to reapply it frequently during a performance. It remains effective so you don’t need to constantly readjust it.
It’s relatively easy to remove from your drumsticks once you're done using it. This makes it convenient and versatile for drummers who might want to switch between sticks or styles.
While primarily intended for drumsticks, Pro-Mark Stick Rapp can also be used on other drumming accessories, such as mallets or brushes.
4. Dipped Drumsticks:
"Dipped sticks" are treated with a special rubber or textured coating that enhances grip or durability.
This is especially helpful for drummers who have issues with sweaty hands during performances, as it minimizes the chance of sticks slipping.
Stick dips can also help to protect the stick, making it last longer, and can add aesthetic appeal to your sticks.
The Vic Firth American Classic Extreme Drum Stick is ideal for drummers who like using the the American Classic 5A (our pick for best all round drum stick for beginners).It’s also an extra half inch longer which gives more power and reach.
Importantly thought, these sticks also feature Vic Firth's revolutionary Vic Grip-an anti-slip drumstick coating made from an eco-friendly, water-based urethane. It provides a comfortable and slip-resistant grip.
5. Zildjian Anti-Vibe Drumsticks:
Zildjian's Anti-Vibe sticks incorporate anti-vibration technology to reduce shock transmitted through your hands when hitting drums and cymbals, and other percussion instruments.
This can help drummers avoid discomfort and fatigue, and can make the sticks feel more stable in your hands, reducing the risk of dropping them.
Zildjian Anti-Vibe Drumsticks come in various sizes and styles, catering to different drumming preferences and techniques. You can find options suitable for various music genres and playing styles.
6. Drummer Gloves:
Drummer gloves can help to improve your drum stick grip. They come in full finger coverage or no finger coverage.
We like these Meinl three-quarter finger coverage, leaving your fingertips exposed. This design allows for a good balance between grip and dexterity, making them suitable for various drumming techniques.
The textured palm and fingers create a non-slip surface that ensures you maintain control.
In addition to enhancing grip, these gloves also offer protection. They guard your hands against blisters and calluses, common issues among drummers who play frequently or for extended periods.
Meinl has taken care to make these gloves comfortable. They are made from breathable materials that wick away sweat, and are easy to put on and take off quickly.
7. Drumstick Grips:
Gig Grips are designed to give you a more secure hold on your drum sticks by creating a loop that you put your finger through.
As well as giving a much reduced risk of dropping your sticks these accessories can even make it easier to perform drum stick tricks.
Applying Gig Grips to your drumsticks is quick and hassle-free. They slip over your sticks, creating a loop without any fuss.
The grips not only boost your grip but also contribute to the overall comfort and control of your drumming, enhancing your ability to play for extended periods without strain.
8. Finger Strengtheners:
For drummers, finger strength is paramount, enabling precision and speed in your playing, as well as improving your grip of the sticks. For example check out our guide to practicing without a kit, where we recommend exercises for strengthening your fingers.
To strengthen those crucial digits, drummers turn to finger strengtheners for targeted finger workouts on individual fingers.
These strengtheners typically come with adjustable resistance levels, accommodating different starting finger strengths.
Finger strengtheners are compact and easily portable, making them a convenient practice tool that can be used anywhere – at home watching TV, during band rehearsals, or even on the tour bus.
Strong fingers help drummers maintain a firm grip on drumsticks and lead to better stick control, enabling more intricate and faster drumming.
Using finger strengtheners can also reduce the risk of common drumming-related injuries such as tendonitis or repetitive strain injuries.
By incorporating finger strengtheners into your drumming practice routine, you're investing in better drumming and overall hand health.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, finger strengtheners are a valuable addition to your toolkit.
9. Grip-iT Hand Grip Spray
Grip It Hand Grip Spray is designed specifically to bolster grip for various activities from pole dancing to tennis. Of course it can be useful for drummers too.
With its moisture-absorbing properties, Grip It Hand Grip Spray helps tackle the issue of sweaty palms. By reducing moisture on your hands, it can help drummers maintain a consistent grip, ensuring that your sticks stay firmly in your control.
Applying Grip It Hand Grip Spray is quick and straightforward through a light spray on your hands, or even directly on your drumsticks.
This grip spray is designed to provide a long-lasting effect. Once applied, it maintains its grip-enhancing properties throughout your entire performance, and afterwards any residue from the spray is easily wiped away, leaving your drumsticks or equipment clean.
10. Drumstick Holder
If the worst happens and you do drop a stick mid-performance it’s key to be able to reach for another quickly and easily without disrupting your flow.
The Meinl Drum Stick Holder attaches firmly to a cymbal stand.
Rubber pads prevent scratching and ensure tight grip.
It’s fully adjustable to position it at a good height and angle to reach for your sticks seamlessly.
Remember that finding the right product for you might require some experimentation.
What works best often depends on your personal preferences, the type of music you play, and the specific challenges you face with your grip.
It's essential to maintain a comfortable grip while drumming to avoid injury and achieve the best performance possible.
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