Joey Jordison: Remembering the Late Drummer of Slipknot

joey jordison metal drummer slipknot

Joey Jordison was an icon in the music industry, known for his incredible drumming skills and unique style. As the drummer of Slipknot, he helped pioneer the nu-metal genre and became a beloved figure for millions of fans around the world. However, his life was cut short when he passed away at age 46, leaving a void in the music industry that will never be filled. In this article, we will explore the life of Joey Jordison, from his early days to his rise to fame and tragic death. We will look at his influence on the music industry, the legacy he left behind, and how he will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike.

Early Life and Career

Joey Jordison was born on April 26, 1975, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up in a musical family and started playing the drums at a young age. His early influences included Black Sabbath, Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden. He formed his first band, Modifidious, in the early 1990s, which helped him hone his skills and gain experience in the local music scene.

In 1995, Jordison joined the band Slipknot, which would become his most famous project. He played drums and percussion for the band, as well as contributed to the songwriting process. His unique drumming style, which included double bass drumming, blast beats, and intricate rhythms, helped define the sound of Slipknot and set them apart from other bands in the genre.

Joey Jordison’s Rise to Fame

Slipknot’s debut album, “Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.”, was released in 1996, but it was their second album, “Slipknot”, that launched them into mainstream success. The album went double platinum and spawned several hit singles, including “Wait and Bleed” and “Spit It Out”. Jordison’s drumming was a key component of the band’s success, and he quickly became known as one of the best drummers in the industry.

Over the years, Jordison continued to contribute to Slipknot’s success, writing and performing on several of their albums, including “Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)” and “All Hope Is Gone”. He also worked on several side projects, including Murderdolls and Scar the Martyr, which allowed him to explore different styles of music and collaborate with other musicians.

Legacy and Influence

Joey Jordison’s legacy is undeniable. His drumming skills and unique style helped define the sound of Slipknot and influenced a generation of drummers and musicians. He was also known for his energetic live performances, which helped make Slipknot one of the most iconic live bands of all time.

Jordison’s influence extended beyond the music industry as well. He was a mentor to many aspiring musicians and was known for his generosity and kindness. He also struggled with health issues throughout his life, including a neurological condition that forced him to leave Slipknot in 2013. However, he continued to make music and inspire fans until his untimely death in 2021.

Joey’s Gear

Joey Jordison was known for his unique and energetic drumming style, which required a specific set of gear to achieve his signature sound. Here are some of the pieces of equipment he used throughout his career:

  1. Drum Kit – Jordison was known for using Pearl drums, specifically the Pearl Reference series. He would often use a 9-piece kit with sizes ranging from 8″ to 22″.
  2. Snare Drum – Jordison’s go-to snare drum was the Pearl Joey Jordison Signature Snare, which featured a 13″ x 6.5″ steel shell and black hardware. He also used other snare drums, including the Pearl Free Floating Brass Snare and the Ludwig Black Beauty.
  3. Cymbals – Jordison used a variety of cymbals throughout his career but primarily the Rude series by Paiste. He preferred bright, cutting cymbals that could cut through the heavy music of Slipknot.
  4. Drum Heads – Jordison often used Remo drum heads on his kit, including Coated Emperor heads on his toms and a Coated Controlled Sound head on his snare drum.
  5. Drum Sticks – Jordison was known for using Pro-Mark drum sticks, specifically the Pro-Mark Joey Jordison Signature Stick, which featured a unique design and size that was tailored to his playing style.

Overall, Joey Jordison’s gear was carefully chosen to create his signature sound and style, which helped define the music of Slipknot and other bands he played with throughout his career. His influence on the drumming community and the music industry as a whole will be felt for years to come.

In summary

Joey Jordison was an iconic figure in the music industry, known for his incredible drumming skills, unique style, and energetic live performances. His contributions to Slipknot and the nu-metal genre helped define a generation of music, and his influence can still be felt today. While his untimely death was a tragedy for fans and musicians alike, his legacy will live on through his music and the impact he had on the industry. The life of Joey Jordison is a story of passion, perseverance, and dedication, and one that will be remembered for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Joey Jordison’s cause of death?

Joey Jordison passed away on July 26, 2021, from complications of transverse myelitis, a rare neurological disease.

How old was Joey Jordison when he died?

Joey Jordison was 46 years old when he passed away.

Was Joey Jordison only known for his work with Slipknot?

While Joey Jordison is most well-known for his work with Slipknot, he also contributed to several other bands and side projects throughout his career, including Murderdolls and Scar the Martyr.

Did Joey Jordison have any awards or accolades?

Yes, Joey Jordison won several awards throughout his career, including a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2006 for Slipknot’s song “Before I Forget”. He was also named the Best Drummer at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in 2010.

Mikaela Swan | Bringing drums, art and infectious energy together

Mikaela Swan drummer

Welcome to the very first Rising Star feature here at Drum Faster! Mikaela Swan is a perfect example and we are so happy for her to be our first feature. These articles are here to feature the best up and coming drummers we think you need to know about.

Mikaela Swan has exploded online in 2020 with videos getting millions of views on both TikTok and Instagram. Today she now has over 100,000 followers on both platforms!

It is easy to see why her videos have blown up. Each performance is full of passion and energy. It is infectious! And of course, great drumming.

Let’s find out more about Mikaela Swan and her drumming journey so far. 

Q. Who is Mikaela Swan?

My name is Mikaela Swan, and I am a female drummer that is all about changing people’s perceptions, providing entertainment, and expressing my creativity through my social media. I enjoy playing various genres such as rock, indie, heavy metal, pop and classic. 

I first started the drums when I was young when my parents gifted me with a High Five musical kit. From there, I was instantly drawn to the little drum. 

I started taking lessons to read and play music in grade 3 and continued through school with it. Unfortunately, I was a little bit lazy and did not take it all too seriously and fell a bit out of love with the drums. 

Mikaela Swan drumming

That was until grade 9 when my dad said to me that they would sell my drum kit if I weren’t going to practise and play at home, which I wasn’t. From there, I picked up my game and has been taking it seriously, learning and pushing myself to become a better drummer. 

Looking back, it has now; it has been 6 serious years of playing the kit, and I am excited to see my progression evolve even more and to make a career out of it.

Q. Who are your influences?

The two drummers that have had the biggest impact and influence on my drumming have been Dave Grohl and Emerson Barrett.

I have grown up my whole life watching Dave play the drums, and it has honestly blown me away to see someone go that crazy on the drums; he is an animal. Dave feels the music like no other and goes headfirst into the music. He has been the main reason I started the drums, and also influenced my crazy and animated playing style throughout my drumming journey.

Emerson Barrett has influenced not only my artistic style but also my drumming. He has inspired me to take myself to the next level and to push myself as an individual artist. His ability to do immersive himself in both the art of drumming and drawing makes me want to take that direction, hopefully inspiring and changing the lives of others around me.

Q. What is your playing style? 

I love to play a range of different genres such as classic rock, right down to heavy metal, funk, classical music and even pop. I love to give myself a challenge and keep an open mind to playing different styles and a range of music, this way I am building my drum vocabulary and my skills on the kit.

My playing style is often described as very animated and lively. I can not help but feel the music and really get into playing the drums. I always got to be moving around and bouncing on my seat.

Q. Who have you performed with?

I have three bands I play with who are Happy Valley, Big Blue Eyes and Bronze Age. I am also known for doing some session work with local artists. The people I have fortunately had the opportunity to play with were Oskar Campbell, Tom Dron & Lucy Francesca Dron.

Q. What gear do you use?

The drum kit I predominantly use in my videos Is a Roland TD-27KV, which I also share an endorsement With. Aside from my electronic E-kit, I also use an acoustic mainly used for live gigs and occasion acoustic covers.

In addition, I have a Matt Black Pearl Master Series with Custom Hyrbid Zildjian K’s and a mixture of both Evans and Remo drum heads. I also have custom drawn artwork on my skins to fulfil my artistic needs.

Mikaela Swan drum kit

Find more of Mikaela Swan

Final thoughts

Mikaela fills her videos with energy and joy that is infectious to watch! It is amazing to see that she is growing so fast and having the opportunity to do so many amazing things. 

We can’t wait to see what Mikaela gets up to next on her drumming journey!

Benny Greb | Master of groove and drumming education

benny greb drummer

Benny Greb is a prolific drummer but he is more than that. He is an artist at the kit who can make you feel like most drummers can’t. His playing oozes feel and groove and luckily, he has the tools to teach you his talents.

Here you will get to know about Benny Greb, his music releases, and educational releases.  

Who is Benny Greb

Benny Greb is a versatile artist known for being a creative drummer, clinician, and singer. Benny Greb was born on the 13th June 1980 in Augsburg, Germany. From a young age, he was enthusiastic about music and started playing the drums when he was only 6 after receiving a kit as a gift.

In the early years, Benny was self-taught and he would learn by playing along to his favourite songs. He drew influence from musicians such as The Police, James Brown, Tower of Power, Billy Joel, and James Taylor. 

It wasn’t until later in his childhood he took lessons starting at the age of 12.

Benny progressed quickly now he had tuition and began to play in some local bands. At this younger age, he was mostly a punk player but he then went on to discover rock before transitioning into jazz.

At this stage, Benny knew that he wanted to become a full-time drummer and musician. Benny’s mum saw this and pushed him to study full time to further progress. 

In 1997 Benny began to study music full time in Dinkelsbuhl and then in Hamburg. It was here Benny rounded out his knowledge of music as well as getting the opportunity to gig and jam with other musicians.

Transitioning from studying to a full-time drummer

After finishing his studies, Benny set himself a target to be living off drums financially within one year. If he failed, he would move back to his family and begin a traditional career. This was the start of his session drumming career. He would perform drums live, record in the studio and teach. 

Benny was a bit different to most players though. He would listen back to his performances and critique them. What did he like, what didn’t he like and how could he have done things differently? 

This is an important step that most drummers skip. How are you supposed to know what worked or where you need to improve if you aren’t your harshest critic?

This technique is also used by Anika Nilles.

Practicing with a purpose

As a full-time professional drummer, Benny Greb still spends a lot of time practising his craft. Not as much as he used to, but more productively. 

Benny has a 3-month cycle of what he is working on and what he wants to achieve and makes the most out of every practice session.

When he practices, he knows what he is going to work on and avoids distractions. Many drummers sit down to practice but just end up playing things they already know. Not Benny.

For each session he documents:

  • What he practised
  • What tempo he practised at
  • How he felt about the practice session

This makes tracking progress simpler and more effective. Especially when working on more complex concepts that need multiple sessions.

benny grebs moving parts

Where is Benny Greb today?

Today Benny is a drummer very much in demand. His ability to pick and choose flavours from different drummings styles gives him a wide scope for the drumming he can do. This vast palette of styles allows him to create grooves and feels many drummers couldn’t offer.  

Benny Greb has performed with several musicians including:

  • Stoppok
  • The Ron Spielman Trio
  • Jerobeam
  • NDR Orchestra
  • Strom & Wasser

The Influence of Benny Greb

Few people have that persona to influence the world with their work and personality. “Grebfruit” proved to be a turning point for Benny’s career as it marked his success internationally. He got popular because of his creative sounds, grooves, and his never-ending passion for drums.

If we talk about his talent, he has given multiple music tastes to his fans. He is capable of playing:

  • Rock  
  • Jazz 
  • Funk 
  • Acoustic punk 

Music Releases

As well as being a fantastic drummer, Benny Greb has also released a lot of music. Some as solo releases and some with his band “Moving Parts”. 

“Moving Parts” consists of Benny Greb on drums, Chris Montague on Guitar and Chris Hargreaves on Bass.

Discography

If you are wanting to listen to Benny Greb’s releases, check out the albums below. 

  • Grebfruit
  • Brassband
  • 3erGezimmer
  • Two Day Trio
  • Moving Parts
  • Grebfruit 2

There are also plenty of singles and features to check out also.

 Educational Releases

As Greb is passionate about drums, music, and clinics it was a natural progression to release his educational content.

He released his educational DVDs, two of them so far called ‘The language of Drumming’ and ‘The Art and Science of Groove’. These have become hugely popular and this is down to the combination of the topics covered and the excellent delivery. 

Benny is not scared to delve deep into complicated topics some drummers would stay away from. This is because he has an impeccable way of presenting extremely complex things simply and in an entertaining way. It is a joy to watch Benny as he teaches.

2009: The Language of Drumming

“The Language of Drumming” by Benny Greb is evidence of his talent and amazing sense of music that he produces with the drums. The Language of Drumming enables you to express emotions through the drums. 

Benny Greb has introduced his 24-character system and taught how to use binary and ternary rhythms in developing timing, dynamic control, technique, and speed.

After the release of The Language of Drumming, Greb expanded his creativity by a complete system of drum-set methods in his book. This book is a stand-alone companion to the DVD.

The book is a complete source of guidance. It delivers different ways of learning the basic steps of drumming. As we learn a language with basic letters, similarly drumming steps are the same. As we know books are always helpful to all. So, this drumming book helps you think, understand and play the rhythms. It will facilitate you to decode other educational material and you will be able to come up with unique exercises.

2015: The Art & Science of Groove

The Art and Science of Groove is one of the best educational releases by Benny Greb. It’s an influencing and unique release that will help all drummers to get the undeniable feeling and emotion−groove.

In 2014, Greb launched a crowdfunding campaign that was the most successful in achieving all of its goals. All the contributors were enthusiastic about getting insights from Benny Greb. The campaign gave confidence to Benny for the release of an educational DVD that ascended the production levels to new heights.

The Art and Science of Groove have the best techniques and exercises that give energy and confidence to all those, wanting to learn and experience groove.

In The Art and Science of Groove, Benny Greb has introduced the five key elements: Time, Feel, Sound, Body, and Mind. He added sets out to shatter the myths about elusive, misunderstood to groove. Benny’s approach is a great influence for all levels of drummers. The Art and Science of Groove DVD have revolutionized the preconceived concept. It has provided an emotional connection to drummers so they become consistent while performing.

Benny Greb’s drum setup

At first glance, Benny Greb setup looks like a traditional setup. It features one rack tom with one/two-floor toms. You will then notice the second snare and an interesting selection of cymbals.

Benny Greb's drum kit

Benny likes to use various stacks to get unique sounds as well as darker cymbals that are full of character. 

When you look at Benny’s kit you will notice everything is almost flat and the cymbals are very low. Over time it seems that Benny’s cymbals have gradually lowered. 

Gear used:

Signature products

As well as the art of playing, Benny loves creating unique sounds. Benny possibly has the most signature products of any drummer. He has been lucky enough to work with fantastic companies that believe in him and want to help him achieve his sound. 

Vic Firth Benny Greb Signature Series Drum Sticks

At its core, these drum sticks are a 5B. It features a medium taper with a shortened tear drop tips. This creates a focused and defined cymbal sound whilst providing enhanced rebound.

They also feature a unique green print rather than black. Nice. 

Sonor Benny Greb Snare Drums

Benny has two versions of his Sonor Signature snare drum available. One in beech with a birch veneer and bubinga inlay whilst the other is made from brass with a vintage finish.

Both of these snares are 13″ x 5.75″ featuring a MonoRail dampener and Dual Glide strainer.

These are real premium snares. Crafted from the best materials with beautiful craftsmanship.

Due to the two internal dampening methods combined with different tunings, there are almost endless sound options. These snares are beautiful and incredibly diverse.

Meinl Benny Greb Crasher Hats

These are very unique to other cymbals. These are designed to produce a super short, dry, clear and high frequency whilst still being dynamic.

It is 8″ and made up of four stacked cymbals. The tighter the stack, the quicker the sound.

Meinl Generation X 12″/14″ Trash Hats

This is the first signature cymbal released by Benny Greb with Meinl. It is made using Meinl’s high tech computerised manufacturing. 

Although labelled as hats you are more than likely going to want to use them as a stack. These hats are fast and crisp with a clear trashy sound when loosened. 

Meinl Byzance Vintage Sand Series

This isn’t just one cymbal, it is a whole line of cymbals. Benny wanted a full set of cymbals that he could use to complement his playing. These feature a beautiful vintage finish with varying degrees of rawness depending on the cymbal.

These have been designed to be transparent without being harsh, full of nuance without being weak and having character and personality without overpowering the rest of the band.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats – 14″ and 16″
  • Crashes – 18″ thin and 18″ medium
  • Crash ride – 22″
  • Rides – 20″ and 22″

Meinl Benny Greb Masterpad Practice Pads

Benny has two different size practice pads available. A 6″ for on the go and a 12″ for at home. The 6″ can be mounted on a cymbal stand whilst the 12″ fits in a snare stand.

The pads are nice a quiet without too much rebound. They also feature a nice graphic to remind you of the key pillars of drumming.

If you like the pad but fancy a different graphic, Thomas Lang also has a version of this pad available. 

Find more Benny Greb

Benny Greb can be discovered in several places online. Keep up to date with him using the links below.

Final thoughts

Benny Greb is one of the most influential drummers around and it is easy to see why. He is a fantastic and passionate player who has developed teaching the drums into an art form. 

He has made his mark on the drumming world and I’m sure there is much more to come from him yet.

We can’t wait to see what Benny Greb gets up to in the future.

Pearl Session Studio Select | Ultimate drummers guide

pearl session studio select drum kit

The Pearl Session Studio Select is a drum kit that aims to give you a professional sound at a great price point. The sound is punchy with sturdy hardware that will last.

Let’s find out more about the Pearl Session Studio Select.

Who is the Pearl Session Studio Select for?

The Session Studio Select from Pearl is an entry-level professional kit. It sits above the Pearl Export kits but below the Masters and Masterworks drum kits.

Even though it isn’t in the top kits from Pearl, it certainly does have many of those top tier features. That makes this kit a good option for drummers wanting a professional sounding drum kit without breaking the bank.

Alternatively, if you are a drummer that does shows often, this kit is a great workhorse. You could invest in a Session Studio Select for touring whilst keeping your best drum kit safe at home or for studio work.

What woods are Pearl Session Studio Select shells made?

The Pearl Session Studio Select drum shells are made from two different kinds of wood. 

Masters grade Birch hardwood and African Mahogany imported softwood.

There are four plies of the birch on the outside of the shell with two plies of mahogany on the inner.  

Pearl Session Studio Select wood

Birch offers a full rounded tone full of projection whilst the mahogany adds the low end and punch.

Using premium and cheaper wood produces a professional sound whilst reducing the purchase price. 

The shells feature a 60-degree bearing edge to help increase the volume and resonance of the shells without the harsh tones.

The sound

The combination of the shells and the bearing edge produces a kit that sounds punchy with an almost pre-EQ’d sound. The toms are very musical and flow well as you play through the different sizes.

Depending on the heads used and tuning of the kit, it can be used for a wide range of musical applications. Tune the heads low for more punch in a rock band or tune them up for jazz gigs.

Have a listen to the kit here

What hardware comes with the Session Studio Select?

The hardware on the Pearl Session Studio Select drum kit is designed for the working drummer. Everything is built to be sturdy, reliable and durable. 

2.3mm Superhoop II Hoops

These 2.3mm Superhoop II Hoops are triple-flanged and are one of the better hoops offered by Pearl. These are designed with hard hitters in mind.

They will maintain tuning and drum resonance even after a long session of playing. 

Optimount Tom Isolation System

The optimount tom isolation system from Pearl removes any contact between the hardware and the shell. The mount attaches to the lugs of the drum rather than the shell itself.

Therefore the shells are not being interfered with in any way. Ensuring you get the best sound from the shell woods.

Remaining hardware

The rest of the hardware on the kit is sturdy and dependable. It isn’t the premium quality as on the Masterworks kit but is perfect for this kit.

Pearl has ensured that the premium hardware is included where it has an impact on the sound. Holding back on the other elements helps keep this drum kit at a great price point for you. 

What finishes are available?

The Pearl Session Studio Select drum kit is currently available in five different finishes. Either as a wrap or a lacquer. All of which look amazing.

Pearl Session Studio Select finish options

High Gloss Lacquer

  • Gloss Barnwood Brown (#314) – this is a beautiful finish that allows the wood to peer through the dark fade.
  • Piano Black (#103) – the timeless finish that looks good on any drum kit.

Premium Delmar Wrap

  • Nicotine White Marine Pearl (#405) – a classic shell finish that still looks good to this day. If you are wanting white, this is as close as you will get.
  • Black Mirror Chrome (#766) – for that classic black finish that reflects at you.

Matt Ash Lacquer

  • Scarlet Ash (#847) – this finish is a combination of red with the natural wood pattern. Personally, this is my favourite finish available. The longer you look at it, the more beautiful details you see. 

Of course, the finish of a drum kit is unique to each drummer’s tastes. With that being said, Pearl has done a good job at offering something every drummer will like. 

The limited options also make it easier for Pearl to produce. Once again, keeping the costs down and giving you a lot of drum kits at this price point.

Pearl Session Studio Select kit configurations

The Session Studio Select is available in several basic configurations.

The “funk” set (STS904XP/C)

This configuration features slightly smaller sizes making it perfect for pop/ funk. 

  • 20″ x 14″ bass drum
  • 10″ x 7″ and 12″ x 8″ toms
  • 14″ x 14″ floor tom

The “standard” set (STS924XSP/C)

This configuration features the most common sizes you find on a drum kit. 

  • 22″ x 16″ bass drum
  • 10″ x 7″ and 12″ x 8″ toms
  • 16″ x 16″ floor tom

The “rock” set (STS943XP/C)

This configuration features larger size drums and the one up one down tom setup favoured by rock drummers. 

  • 24″ x 14″ bass drum
  • 13″ x 9″ tom
  • 16″ x 16″ floor tom

The “small” set (STS983XP/C)

This configuration features smaller size drums. This makes it perfect for a younger player who hasn’t grown into a full-size kit yet. Or a player after a tight sound.

  • 18″ x 14″ bass drum
  • 12″ x 8″ tom
  • 14″ x 14″ floor tom

Extra options

You can also order extra drums separately to create a custom setup to your liking. Also, none of the kits above come with a snare but they are available to order as extra if you wish.

Snares

DimensionsModel Number
14×5.5STS1455S/C
14×6.5STS1465S/C
14×8STS1480S/C

Tom toms

DimensionsModel Number
8×7STS0807T/C
10×7STS1007T/C
13×9STS1309T/C
14×10STS1410T/C

Floor toms

DimensionsModel Number
14×14STS1414F/C
16×16STS1616F/C
18×16STS1816F/C

Gong bass drum

It is nice to see Pearl adding some of the more unique drum pieces to this line.

That being said, the Pearl Session Studio Select Gong Drum is only available in one size. 20″ x 14″ (STS2014G/C)

Bass drums

DimensionsModel Number
18×14STS1814BX/C
20×14STS2014BX/C
22×16STS2216BX/C
24×14STS2414BX/C

Are Pearl Session Studio Select drum kits good value?

Without a doubt, the Pearl Session Studio Select is a great value kit. You are getting a professional sounding drum kit at a great price point. 

Pearl has invested in the elements that give you a great sounding kit and tactically used cheaper parts in certain places to bring down the cost.

Where can I buy one?

Luckily for you, Pearl drum kits are available from all online music stores or your local music shop. 

If you are looking to order online, check out the link below.

Frequently asked questions

What drum heads come with the Pearl Session Studio Select?

As standard, the kit comes with Remo UT Pinstripes (Tom Batter), Remo UT Clears (Tom Resonant) and Remo UT Powerstroke3 (Clear Kick Batter).

Where are the best alternative kits to the Pearl Session Studio Select?

The best alternative drum kits at this price range are the Tama Starclassic Performer and the DW Design Series. 

What are our thoughts?

The Pearl Session Studio Select is a perfect fit for a lot of drummers. If you have had a Pearl Export Drum Kit and you are looking for an upgrade, this is a logical next step. 

This kit sounds great and it will last you a long time. 

Pearl Curved Boom Arm Stand (brand new for 2021)

pearl curved boom arm stand

Brand new for 2021 is the Pearl Curved Boom Arm Stand. This is much like a regular boom cymbal stand but with a unique curved arm.

Let’s find out why you may want this on your drumkit. 

What is the Pearl Curved Boom Cymbal Stand?

The unique feature of this stand from Pearl is the curved arm compared to a traditional boom stand that comes with a straight arm.

Pearl has done this to allow you to place cymbals in those hard to reach areas that a straight boom arm cannot achieve.

The second reason is to give the kit a distinct look. Drummers are always looking for ways to stand out and have a unique setup. This curved boom stand could be the new piece of gear to achieve this.

Advantages of a curved boom stand

The main advantage is that of what Pearl wanted to achieve. You can indeed put your cymbals in some hard to reach placements. 

This will be most beneficial for drummers that have a large or compact setup. Sometimes a straight boom stand won’t suffice. 

Disadvantages of a curved boom stand

I think there is one main disadvantage to having curved boom arms. That is that they don’t fold away as neatly as straight boom cymbal stands. Most professional-grade touring boom stands fold away within themselves making them ideal for transporting. 

With the curved boom arm, it folds down next to the main arm. If you are playing a lot of shows, setting up your kit and down it will be interesting to see how well the boom arm lasts.

Even though it doesn’t fold away perfectly, Pearl has a reputation for building sturdy hardware that is built to last. If it wasn’t going to last, I don’t think Pearl would have released it. 

Features

The curved boom stand comes with all of the features you would expect from Pearls top of the line hardware.

GyroLock cymbal tilter

The GyroLock cymbal tilter allows you to adjust the angle of the cymbal on both axes. The result is being able to change to the cymbal placement without needing to twist the arm. 

WingLoc Quick Release

The WingLoc Quick release nut allows for the cymbals to be removed from the stand in a matter of seconds. You simply squeeze the nut rather than having to unscrew it.

Double-Braced Trident Tripod

To ensure the stand has a sturdy bass is comes with three heavy-duty legs to keep it in place.

Reversible Seat Cup

The reversible cup allows you to get a slightly different response from your cymbals. Depending on which way up you have the cup will determine how much the cymbal can swing on the stand.

Reversible Cymbal Washers

Cymbal washers also help you change the response of the cymbal. The cymbal washer has a felt or foam material on either side. Depending on which is touching the cymbal will change the response. 

Models available

Pearl has released two models of the curved boom stand. 

It can either be purchased as a stand with the legs or as an arm without the base. This gives you a cheaper option if you use a rack or plan to mount it on another stand.

With legs

Pearl 1030 Series Boomerang Cymbal Stand

B-1030C

Just the boom arm

Pearl Curved Cymbal Holder

CH-1030C

Where can I buy these?

If you are wanting to purchase either of these stands, check out these online music stores.

Our thoughts on the Pearl Curved Boom Arm Stand

I think the curved boom stand is an intriguing concept. Although, I don’t think these will be for everyone. 

In my experience, not many people will have large enough kits to need curved stands to fit in an extra cymbal. I think the main reason people will purchase these is to create unique and crazy kits.

I can already imagine some of the rack and boom arm combinations. It will be interesting to see what Pearl artists do with their kits going forward.

Greyson Nekrutman | taking social media by storm with jazz drumming

greyson nekrutman drummer

Greyson Nekrutman is a drummer who has exploded in popularity during 2020. His determination and passion ooze out of every drum performance. It is clear to see why he has amassed such a following in such a short time.

Let’s find out more about Greyson Nekrutman and his drumming career so far.

Who is Greyson Nekrutman?

Greyson Nekrutman is a drummer born on the 13th June 2002 from Long Island, New York, USA.

Greyson started learning drums at the age of 4 with tutor Justin Gallow.

Justin would teach Greyson a bit of each different genres. Latin, jazz, rock etc but never diving too deep into any of them. Justin wanted Greyson to become an all-around drummer with knowledge of everything.

This gave Greyson a strong foundation and knowledge from which he could build upon. When he was ready, he could deep drive into particular styles and narrow his focus.

As Greyson got older he focused a lot on rock and prog-rock becoming a big fan of bands such as the Dave Matthews band.

It wasn’t until later jazz started to become of interest. At first, like many drummer Greyson had the impression jazz is this quiet genre with a lot of brush playing and it wasn’t of interest. 

When he discovered drummers like Buddy Rich and big band jazz, it all changed. 

Greyson Nekrutman is currently studying at The New School in New York City. 

Studying the greats

One way Greyson Nekrutman has improved his drumming is by studying his influences on a deep level.

Not just a bit of reading, learning some songs and moving on.

Really deep research into what drove these drummers. What were their inspirations? What about their style is unique to them?

Greyson will call around to find people who knew the drummer he is studying. He wants to know them and what drove them. How did they develop their style? What did they listen to? 

Greyson wanted to be able to recreate these drummers. This has led to many comments online about how it is these drummers reincarnated. 

His photographic memory

Greyson discovered in school that he had a photographic memory. He could take maths formulas, remember them and recite them back in exams. 

This memory has helped him create some of his most popular videos to date.

In these videos, you will see Greyson reenact a drum performance, part for part with all the nuances. It is impressive to see. 

Of course, the photographic memory helps him digest and memorize the parts faster than the average drummer but the hard work and practice are still needed to play everything perfectly. 

The challenges of being a young drummer trying to start a career

Like many drummers, Greyson has faced challenges trying to get his career going. Greyson had a unique challenge though.

There is no doubt about it, Greyson is an incredible drummer. But with him being so talented at a young age, it made it hard for older peers to accept him. 

No matter how he played, he would get criticised. Even when he would perform a classic drum solo perfectly note for note.

It was either too hard, too soft, too busy… you get the point. 

No matter what he played he was always put down by older players. Not because of his skill but because of his age. 

Sometimes older drummers feel like because they have been doing it longer they are on a superior skill level and it can create egos. Even if you are the better older player, you should be helping and encouraging the fresh up and coming talent. 

Of course, with being older you have the respect of your peers and career experience. Only time can get you this. 

This issue has even led Greyson to not be invited to an audition for a college he applied for. Even though, he had the skills and drive to thrive. 

This fueled Greyson to go, “I am going to play the way I want to play and if you have an issue with it, sorry, I don’t care”. 

This is when Greyson started releasing his incredibly popular play-along videos. In these videos, he will match classic drum performances note for note.

These prove his skill, dedication and passion for the great drummers that have come before him. 

His drive

The main thing you need to know about Greyson is that he is a hard worker. He practices, a lot! 

While most of the world shut up shop when Covid 19 struck in 2020, Greyson got to work. Practising on average 8 hours per day over two or three sessions.

To push through long practice sessions Greyson uses several methods to keep his focus up. When working on difficult pieces he will slow down the songs and parts so he can fully learn each note.

If he feels his mind starts to wander he will crank up the tempo. This does two things. It switches up the challenge making the brain reengage with the task at hand. 

It allows Greyson to determine how close he is to complete a section. This allows him to then dial back the tempo and refocus on the bits that need work. 

If this doesn’t work, he will simply step away from the kit and come back to work on it again after a break. Sometimes your brain needs a break to process what it has been working on.

Using social media to launch his career

Greyson Nekrutman had a strange introduction to the power of what social media can do for drummers. Initially, his mom would get him to record drum videos so she could upload them and manage his profile. 

At the time Greyson didn’t realise the power social media could have. When you have the talents he has, you are going to stand out from the crowd and gain attention. 

Greyson soon realised the power and it became a serious focus. 

Initially, Greyson was uploading playing to songs that he wanted to because he enjoyed them and it is what he wanted to hear. Logically, this always seems like the best move but what happens when these videos don’t get a lot of views. You have invested a lot of time and effort for little reward. 

Once Greyson realised this, he decided to take it seriously and work extremely hard on the types of videos people want to watch. 

That was jazz. People loved the content and it created space in the market for him. Not many people do jazz drumming videos so this created a space for him to gather an audience. 

Greyson is extremely focused currently on using social media to launch his career and get his name known. He knows that is the goal and is making the most of it whilst the world doesn’t have many other opportunities. 

When the world reopens his socials will transition with him. They will act as an insight into his career and his drumming journey. With the occasional cover video for good measure! 

Left-hand technique

One of the things Greyson gets asked a lot is about his left-hand technique. It is a variation of a classical grip. 

Greyson is a believer in doing what feels right and works for you, not use technique X or Y. This has led to this hybrid style.

Depending on the tempo and the application on the kit varies up the grip.

Here is a great video of Greyson Nekrutman explaining his left-hand technique.

Greyson Nekrutman’s drum kit

Greyson plays a fairly minimalist drum kit but he plays some beautiful gear.

His setup is very classic. 1 tom, 1 floor, 1 kick and 1 snare. Hi-hat, ride and crash. Occasionally you will also see a splash or some extra toms. 

Greyson Nekrutman drum set

Gear used:

Find more Greyson Nekrutman

Greyson can be found in several places online. Make sure you check him out on the below.

Final thoughts

Without a doubt, Greyson Nekrutman has a bright future ahead of him. Being this driven and talented at such a young age places him in a perfect position to have a long and prosperous career.

When the world reopens it will be interesting to see if Greyson lands any big gigs that will open him up to the world of touring and recording.

No matter what happens, we can’t wait to see where his journey goes next. 

Drumstick size guide | Finding the perfect stick for your playing

Drumstick size guide

Drumsticks are extremely personal to every drummer. We all have a feel we want to have from the sticks and a sound we want to get from them. 

Although drumsticks do seem simple at first glance, there are many details to consider when making your choice. 

In this drumstick size guide, we are going to look at the different elements of the stick and what these areas affect.

The drumstick size guide explained

This drumstick size guide is going to cover the different elements of the sticks and how the different options affect the sound and feel. 

This guide doesn’t cover the different woods available. That is a big topic that needs its dedicated feature. For our guide on the different drumstick woods, check this article.

The anatomy of a drumstick

A drumstick is made of a handful of different elements. 

anatomy of a drumstick
  1. Tip
  2. Shoulder
  3. Body/ shaft
  4. Balance point/ fulcrum
  5. Grip area
  6. Butt
  7. Diameter
  8. Length
  9. Weight

Drumstick Tips

The tip is a key part of the drumstick as it touches your drums. The shape and material has a direct effect on your should but doesn’t have a huge impact on the feel.

Drumstick tip material

There are two options when it comes to the material that makes up the tip. 

  1. Wood – the tip is carved from the same piece of wood as the rest of the stick. In general, there are more tip styles available in wooden tips.
  2. Nylon – the tips is created from nylon and is glued onto a wooden stick. Nylon tips on drumsticks are incredibly durable and will outlast the rest of the stick. Nylon tips also produce a brighter sound than wooden tips.

Drumstick tip shape

There are multiple tip styles available when it comes to the tip. Hybrid models are also available that sit between the standard shapes. 

drumstick tip shapes

Barrel tip drumsticks

Barrel tips are stubby much like the shape of an actual barrel. They produce a bright and articulate cymbal sound. 

Oval tip drumsticks

The shape is very similar to that of the barrel tip but fatter at the centre point removing the flatter sides. Oval tips produce a full sound. 

Round tip drumsticks

Round tips are essentially a ball on the end of your drumstick. The shape helps to accentuate the cymbals sound. The shape is popular amongst jazz drummers.

Taj Mahal tip drumsticks

These tips are fatter at the beginning of the tip and then become narrower at the top. This diverse shape allows you to get multiple sounds from the stick depending on the angle you hit your cymbals.

Teardrop tip drumsticks

The shape is similar to that of the taj mahal tip but it isn’t as fat at its widest point. Due to this, the tip gets a lot of surface contact with the cymbal. This produces a rich sound. Teardrops tips are the most common tips found on drumsticks.

Drumstick shoulder

The shoulder of the drumstick can have a drastic impact on the feel of the stick. It greatly changes the weight distribution of the stick and the balance point of the stick.

The type of shoulder styles is referred to as the taper. 

If you have a long taper you have a long transition between the body and the tip. A shorter taper has a shorter transition between the body and the tip. 

A short taper pushes more weight towards the tip of the stick. This moves the balance point further towards the tip also. The shorter the taper the faster the response making them popular amongst faster players.

Drumstick grip area

There are two most common finishes for drumsticks. Lacquer or natural. In recent years manufacturers have been creating new options for the grip area of the stick. 

  • Lacquer – a slick feel that is moisture resistant. 
  • Natural – no lacquer. A tight grip but susceptible to moisture.
  • Custom grips – manufacturers are producing new grips to help drummers get a better hold of the stick in different situations. There are too many to list though as they vary by brand and each brand is trying something different.

Drumstick diameter

The diameter of the drumstick has a big effect on the overall feel of the stick. A thicker stick will feel different in your hand due to the size. The stick overall will be heavier and the stick will likely be more durable.

The diameter of a stick is very personal to the drummer and it is impossible to know what is right for you without going to a drum store and giving some a try. Or you could order a selection of sizes to try at home.

The majority of sticks have a diameter of around 0.57″ (1.45cm). 

Drumstick length

Much like the diameter of a drumstick, the length is subjective to the player. A longer drumstick will give you more reach but it will increase the overall weight of the stick.

The majority of sticks are around 16″ (40.6cm) long. That being said, longer drumsticks are being introduced to the market by manufacturers. An example of this is the Vic Firth American Concept Freestyle Drumsticks. 

Drumstick weight

The length and diameter are the determining factors in the overall weight of the stick. 

When you are looking for a stick it is key to find one that has a comfortable hand feel, reach and weight. You need to balance these three factors.

If you have a stick that is too heavy it is going to hinder your playing.

If you are starting to play the drums at a younger age, you will likely want to progress to a heavier stick as you grow.

Drumstick sizing guide

When shopping for drumsticks the sizing can be confusing. What do the numbers and letters mean?

The basic rule is that the higher the number, the lighter the stick. The lower the number, the heavier the stick.

The letter historically determined the application.

  • A – orchestra
  • B – band
  • S – marching
  • D -dance

This is no longer the case. If you find a drumstick that feels use it how you wish. 

The most common sizes are:

  • 7A – diameter .540″ (1.37cm) length 15.5″ (39.37cm)
  • 5A – diameter .565″ (1.44cm) length 16″ (40.64cm)
  • 5B – diameter .595″ (1.51cm) length 16″ (40.64cm)
  • 2B – diameter .630″ (1.6cm) length 16.25″ (41.28cm)

With 7A being the lightest and 2B being the heaviest.

If you have no idea where to start, try a 5A. This is the most commonly used size. From this medium size stick, you can determine if you need to go heavier or lighter, longer or shorter. 

Our thoughts

Drumsticks are extremely personal to each drummer. When a drummer finds a size that fits, they like won’t change. 

Take your time finding the size that works for you. Order some pairs, give them a go and keep trying more until you find the perfect pair for you.

It is worth taking your time to find the pair that feels best to you. If you are going to be playing for years and almost every day, a comfy pair of drumsticks is crucial to your overall enjoyment and development. 

I hope our drumstick size guide has helped you find the perfect pair for your playing.

What is your favourite drumstick? Let us know below.

Sabian HHX Cymbals | The ultimate drummer’s guide (2021)

sabian HHX cymbals

Sabian has always created beautiful and complex cymbals. The Sabian HHX cymbal line is the pinnacle of this. These cymbals are dark in sound, beautiful in appearance but with a powerful sound.

Think the HH line with more power. 

Let’s find out what makes the Sabian HHX line so special.

What style of music are Sabian HHX cymbals for?

The Sabian HHX cymbals are designed to give you the sound of the dry and complex sounds of the HH (hand hammered) line but with more volume and projection.

This makes these cymbals a great option for live performances. Darker cymbals sound great in the studio but can be lost in a live mix. The Sabian HHX line should help overcome this issue.

You are getting the dark complex sound you love with that extra punch.

But they are more than that. These cymbals are also dynamic and articulate. Therefore these cymbals are great for anything from jazz through to rock. 

How are Sabian HHX cymbals made?

Sabian HHX cymbals are related to the Sabian HH line. The HHX cymbals are hand-hammered but have more projection than the HH counterparts.

This is achieved through a higher profile on the cymbal and a raw bell. This gives the cymbal more projection whilst maintaining that dirty sound.

The Sabian HHX line is fairly complex and full of many sub-lines. 

Below we have simplified this so you can find the cymbals best for you.

HHX Medium

sabian hhx medium

The Sabian HHX medium cymbals are the core of what the HHX line is. These cymbals are dark, complex and have the extra projection. Everything the HHX line aims to achieve.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats (natural or brilliant finish): 14″, 15″
  • Rides (natural or brilliant finish): 20″ 
  • Crashes (natural or brilliant finish): 16″, 18″, 20″

HHX Thin

sabian hhx thin

This is the same design as the medium range but thinner. This makes them a little bit darker. 

Cymbals available:

  • Rides (natural or brilliant finish): 21″
  • Crashes (natural or brilliant finish): 14″, 16″, 18″, 20″

HHX Complex

sabian hhx complex

These are the latest HHX cymbals from Sabian. These are becoming the new standard cymbals in the line in an attempt to reorganise the complex selection available.

Overall these cymbals are very similar to the medium line but are a little more complex.

There are also a couple of different weight options depending on the cymbal you are after. 

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats (medium): 14″, 15″
  • Rides (medium weight): 20″, 21″, 22″, 23″
  • Rides (thin weight): 21″, 22″
  • Crashes (thin weight): 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
  • Splashes: 10″
  • O-Zone Crashes: 17″, 19″

HHX Legacy

hhx legacy

The HHX Legacy line was designed with legendary drummer Dave Weckl to help capture his sound. The HHX Legacy videos focus on capturing his darker sound.

The cymbals have a classic look and feel.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats: 14″, 15″
  • Rides: 20″, 21″, 22″
  • Crashes: 17″, 18″, 19″

HHX Evolution

hhx evolution

The HHX Evolution line has also been designed with Dave Weckl. This time to focus on the higher end of the spectrum. These cymbals are bright with a glass-like cut.

These cymbals feature a brilliant finish making them stand out from others in the HHX line.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats: 13″, 14″, 15″
  • Rides: 20″, 21″, 22″
  • Crashes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
  • Splashes: 7″, 10″, 12″
  • Chinas: 14″, 
  • O-Zone Crashes: 16″, 18″
  • Effeks Crash (hand and finger suitable): 17″

HHX Fierce

hhx fierce

The Sabian HHX Fierce is a small line of cymbals designed for the drummer Jojo Mayor. 

These cymbals are dry with a very clear stick definition. The cymbals also have very little sustain making them ideal for busy beats and grooves.

The crash cymbal isn’t as dry but has a trashy wash.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hat: 13″
  • Ride: 21″
  • Crash: 19″

HHX Omni

HHX omni

The Sabian HHX Omni was developed with Jojo Mayor. This cymbal is designed to be versatile providing a clear distinction between the edge and the bow/ bell. This cymbal allows you to quickly change gears between crashing and more intricate parts.

If you are looking for a brighter version of this cymbal, it is also available in the Sabian AAX line.

Sizes available: 19″, 22″

HHX Splash

hhx splash

There aren’t many splashes available in the HHX range. They aren’t available in different weights so this is the only option in the core HHX line.

These are nice fast and dark splashes.

Sizes available: 10″, 12″

HHX Chinese

hhx chinese

The HHX Chinese cymbals are heavily hammered and have a dark and aggressive tone.

Sizes available: 18″, 20″

HHX Zen China

The Sabian HHX Zen China is similar in sound to that of the other HHX chinas but the bell is inverted. This makes it easier to mount the cymbal flat.

Sizes available: 20″

More ride cymbals

sabian hhx rides

21″ Dave Weckl Serenity Ride

This is another cymbal developed with Dave Weckl. This time it is a flat ride. This cymbal is very musical for a flat ride. 

It has a clear stick definition like you want from a flat ride with a fast crash. 

The cymbal is made using a blend of legacy and artisan technology.

21″ HHX Groove Ride

This ride has a high cutting pitch whilst maintaining those dark undertones.

HHX 3-Point Ride

The HHX 3-Point Ride was designed with drummer Jack DeJohnette. This ride has a distinctive look with the raw ring that goes around the body of the cymbal. 

This is a dark yet diverse ride cymbal with a nice dark sound that is very crashable. 

HHX 21″ Raw Bell Dry Ride

The Raw Bell Dry Ride is a medium to heavyweight cymbal. The cymbal has a very clear ping reminiscent of heavy ride cymbals.

Due to its weight, this ride isn’t great for crashing. 

More hi-hat cymbals

hhx hats

HHX 15″ Groove Hats

These hi-hats give you a retro tone with a crisp definition. The 15″ size gives you more depth and click like classic hi-hats produce.

HHX 14″ X-Celerator Hats

The X-Celerator hi-hats feature an “air wave” bottom. These crinkles allow air to escape making the sound extra crisp.

HHX 14″ Click Hats

The HHX CliCk Hats are made using a combination of Sabian techniques. They feature the high profile of the AA line with the hammering of the HH and HHX line. 

These hi-hats are designed to produce enhanced click that emulates an electronic sound. 

More crash cymbals

sabian hhx crash

HHX X-Plosion Crashes

The HHX X-Plosion crashes provide you with what you would expect. Even more shimmer and bright tones cut through.

Cymbals available:

  • Crashes: 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″

HHX X-Treme

The HHX X-Treme crashes are thin and explosive. They have the attack of a china cymbal this a hint of trash. 

Cymbals available:

  • Crashes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″

Cymbal packs

If you are wanting to get the best bang for your buck when purchasing Sabian HHX cymbals you will want to look at the cymbals packs on offer. 

The packs available do change over time. To see what is currently available check out the links below.

Our thoughts

The Sabian HHX cymbals are incredible professional line cymbals. They are dark and complex with all the projection you expect from a modern cymbal.

The only confusing thing is how many ranges there are within the HHX line. Sabian sure has given you plenty of choices. Hopefully, this guide has helped to clear things up for you.

What do you think of the Sabian HHX line? Let us know in the comments below.

Anika Nilles | Drumming, composition and much more

anika nilles drummer

Anika Nilles has taken the drumming community by storm over the past 6 or so years. A true drumming powerhouse full of groove and chops no matter the time signature. It is easy to see why Anika Nilles has become a favourite drummer of many players.

Let’s find out more about Anika and her drumming career so far.

Who is Anika Nilles?

Anika Nilles is a professional drummer from Aschaffenburg, Germany born on the 29th of May 1983. Anika is best known for her drum performances and her original music.

Where did it all begin?

Anika first started playing the drums at the age of 6. Her father taught her a groove and that is where the passion began. Anika had a family full of drummers so she was surrounded by inspiration. 

Anika was determined to give becoming a musician a try when she finished school. 

A diversion from drumming

Like many people, Anika’s parents warned her about becoming a musician and to get a “real” job. Anika did this and studied social work for the next 5 years.

After her studies, she accepted a job at a preschool and soon when on to become the head of the preschool. 

Throughout this time Anika was still taking lessons and playing in bands. The passion was still there to become a musician. 

At this stage, she was in her mid-20s and started doing private drum tuition. Anika was lucky as she was one of the only private tutors in her area and soon took on enough students to go part-time with her preschool job. 

Further studies

Anika wanted to do further studies to help advance her playing. She auditioned for a place at a vocational music school. Underprepared for the audition Anika failed. 

Although this was a hit for her confidence, she started taking lessons from a nearby drummer, Claus Hessler. 

Claus greatly helped Anika improve her theory and skills as well as introduce her to a drumming program. 

This program was full of drum teachers and drummers and helped inspire her to continue her journey.

As well as private tuition, Anika managed to launch her workshops as well as starting to get some gigs. She was now a full-time drummer. 

This didn’t stop Anika from wanting to progress. Anika decided to apply for the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim to study popular music and music business. 

This time she was successful. 

This wasn’t an easy time for her as she was surrounded by incredible musicians that filled her with self-doubt. So much so, she also quit during the course but due to some encouragement from her parents.

Anika went onto complete the degree and proceed to do clinics.

When Anika started to perform clinics the self-doubt started to come back. Anika suffered badly from stagefright which would cause her to struggle to be present and fall back on what she practised. 

People still loved the performances but it left Anika feeling like she had just sucked and put on a poor performance. She was hard on herself.

To overcome the stagefright and doubt, Anika worked with Norbert Saemann from Meinl. Norbert would record the clinics, then after the performance with Anika, they would review the performances. 

Slowly but surely, the confidence came back.

This interesting technique is also used by other drummers. For example, the excellent Benny Greb.

Music releases

Anika Nilles is also a songwriter and has been releasing songs during her professional drumming career.

Anika first released the track “Wild Boy” in October 2013 on her YouTube channel. The follow-up song was “Alter Ego” released in February 2014.

The music videos for both of these tracks are of Anika playing the drums in the studio. Anika writes and produces the music with guest musicians playing the parts. 

These videos racked up millions of views and gained Anika recognition globally. This led to clinic performances across Europe, American and China in 2015.

Anika released her debut album “Pikalar” in 2017. The album consists of 10 instrumental tracks.

Have a look at this video of Pikalar performed with hand band Nevell. 

Most recently Anika released the album “For A Colorful Soul” in 2020. This album features her full time touring band Nevell. The group consists of Patrick Rugebregt on synth and key, Jonathan Ihlenfeld Cuñado on bass and Joachim Schneiss on guitar.

As well as performing her music they are also her full time touring band.

Anika Nilles educational releases

Anika Niles has released a few different products to help you improve your drumming or to learn her songs. 

Transcription Book

This book features several transcriptions of her solo releases. This includes Alter Ego, Wild Boy, Queenz and more. Anika’s songs are very complex so having a written transcription can certainly help make things easier.

View the book

Pad Book

This features several practice pad exercises for drummers who don’t have a huge amount of time to practice behind the kit and want to improve. Or for those drummers who want to dive deep into improving advanced hand technique. 

Anika Nilles setup

A few things make Anika Nilles drumset different to that of a standard kit.

anika nilles drum setup

Firstly you will notice that the cymbals lean away from the kit. Almost making them look like the stands are set up backwards. Because the cymbals are set up low this means that the cymbals are still getting hit correctly with the shoulder of the stick.

The second thing you will notice is the toms are reversed. So they go from low to high rather than high to low. Anika mostly plays the kit as a single tom setup but the extra high tom is there for more options. 

In some configurations of her setup, you will also notice that a second snare is used in place on the floor tom. This is tuned low and is being used as a snom drum. This gives you a floor toom or snare sound depending on if the wires are on.

Gear used:

Anika Nilles Signature products

As a very popular drummer, Anika has a few signature products worth checking out.

Promark Anika Niles Signature Drumsticks

Promark Anika Nilles signature drumsticks

These sticks are made from a lacquered hickory. They are based on a standard 7A but with a few tweaks.

  • Slight thicker diameter
  • Enhanced taper
  • Smaller tip

These tweaks help Anika sharpen up the sound she gets from the kit whilst allowing for control at higher tempos.

Meinl Split Tone Practice Pad

meinl split tone practice pad

Many drummers have signature practice pads but many just consist of a standard pad with custom graphics.

Not with this pad…

The Mein Split Tone Practice Pad from Anika Nilles features three different zones for different feels. 

This has been done so that you can hear what is happening between hands from the different tones. This is a great practice pad for drummers who tour a lot and don’t get as much time behind the kit as they would like.

Meinl Deep Hats

meinl deep hats

This is a unique sounding stack developed by Anika with Meinl Cymbals. It is 18″ and features two cymbals. A thin crash on the bottom and an 18″ trash crash on the top.

When closed tight it gives you a deep hi-hat sound to add contrast to your main hi-hat. When lose you get a deep trashy sound as you would expect from a large stack.

Find more of Anika

You can find Anika in several places on the internet! Check out the links below.

Final thoughts

There is no doubt that Anika is an incredible player. I think her story is very inspiring. It shows you that passion and determination are incredibly important, but so is being able to see where you are weak and take the time to improve those aspects.

Anika has pushed through so many boundaries that would have stumped other drummers and it is great to see that she has succeeded. 

I can’t wait to see where Anika goes next on her drumming journey. 

Drumstick woods | Which type of wood makes the best drumsticks?

drumstick wood types

Drumsticks are made from a range of different woods and other materials. But why are different woods used? What is the best drumstick wood?

In this guide, we are going to talk you through the different types of materials used to make drumsticks and what the benefits are of each.

Wooden drumstick guide

When you are buying a wooden drumstick there are two main factors to consider when it comes to the wood type. 

The weight of the wood and the durability. 

Take a look at our drumstick wood graph to see how the woods compare.

drumstick wood guide graph

If you are looking for more information on different drumstick sizes, check out our drumstick size guide.

Hickory Drumsticks

Hickory is the most common material used to make drumsticks. Hickory is the favourite of brands such as Vic Firth, ProMark and Vater.

Hickory isn’t the strongest of the wood used for sticks but it is fairly dense and hard. One of the best attributes of hickory is that it is a great shock absorber. This makes it easier on your wrists which is good for drummers who practice for long durations. 

Key features:

  • Medium weight
  • Good shock absorber 
  • Durable 

Oak Drumsticks

Oak drumsticks are often made from Shira Kashi Japanese Oak. Oak is around double the weight of hickory. Keep that in mind if you are going to pick up your usual size stick in oak.

Oak is a hardwood, therefore, having a longer lifespan. With oak drumsticks, you are less likely to break from rim shots and splinter away from hours of cymbal hits.

A few brands make oak drumsticks but ProMark are the most common choice.

Key features:

  • Heavyweight and durable

Maple Drumsticks

Maple drumsticks are lighter than hickory sticks. They are about 10% lighter. This is great if you like a thicker stick but don’t want the weight that comes with it.

Due to their low weight maple drumsticks are associated with faster playing. 

The main downsides are that maple drumsticks aren’t as common and are the most likely to break from the wood sticks.

Key features:

  • Lightweight and quick

Hornbeam Drumsticks

The most uncommon type of wood found in drumsticks is hornbeam.

It is lighter and less durable than hickory but it is more affordable.  

Hornbeam can usually be found in budget drumsticks.

Key features:

  • Low budget

Metal & Plastic Drumsticks

If you are looking for an alternative to wood drumsticks Ahead has created something for you. These sticks are made from an aluminium alloy with polyurethane sleeves that cover the shaft and shoulder of the stick.

Ahead drumsticks have many unique benefits over that of a wood stick. Mainly that they produce less shock making them far better for your wrist and elbow health. This is important for drummers who play a lot and have been playing for many years. 

These sticks are expensive to purchase but get cheaper over time as you only need to replace the drumstick sleeve going forward. 

Key features:

  • 50% less shock
  • 10% more rebound 
  • Last up to 10 times longer than wood drumsticks

Our thoughts

It is impossible to definitively say there is a best type of drumstick wood or material. Each player has their style and feel that they like to have from their sticks. 

For example, I play hickory sticks and have my whole drumming career except for a brief year playing Ahead sticks. In the end, they didn’t feel right for me and went back to hickory.

You also have to keep in mind that as drummers progress, they may want to change stick type to achieve different goals. This is especially common if you start playing at a younger age into adulthood. 

What’s your favourite wood type for your drumsticks? Or have you tried the Ahead sticks? Let us know in the comments.