Two-tone Drumstick

When you find yourself in that musical moment that requires the sharp attack of a drumstick bead or shaft AND a less pointed sound (soft mallet) but no time for a stick /mallet change, this simple modification can help you deliver both timbres.


Take any drumstick and wrap some "Cushion Tape" (like 3M Nexcare Absolute Waterproof or Dr. Scholl's Moleskin) around the lower shoulder / upper shaft area of the stick. (App. 3 inches of tape)

That's it!  Give this treatment to a couple of sticks and you can easily play that suspended cymbal roll and move instantly to using the bead on the snare drum--or the butt end on the cowbell. 

You can even generate a decent suspended cymbal roll with one stick.

I keep a "doctored pair" in my mallet case.