It might seem like a no brainer, but playing with broken sticks is something that can have serious effects on your playing.⠀

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When we drum, our sticks rebound, vibrate, and play a role in the production of sound from our instrument. You might think that the drum is what makes the tone you hear, but really it is the drum AND the stick working together. If you have broken sticks (OR sticks that are hollow / weighted incorrectly) your sound quality will be very thin and won't project well within the ensemble. Sometimes your line could even sound dirty (or unbalanced) if one or more performers have a bad pair of sticks. YIKES!⠀

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Just as a wind player shouldn't play with a broken reed, you shouldn't play with broken sticks. So tape your sticks frequently, don't POUND your shots, and replace as needed.⠀