DRUMSTICKS:An ergonomic study

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Drumsticks An ergonomic study

neha mann F&LA V Neha Mann | F&LA 5

CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Ms. Neha Mann has successfully completed the work required for the module titled Applied Ergonomics in partial fulfilment for the award of Bachelor Of Design specialising in Fashion And Lifestyle Accessories prescribed by National Institute Of Fashion Technology.

This project is the record of authentic work carried out during the academic year 2013-2014.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

acknowledgement I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me the possibility to complete this report. A special gratitude to my subject faculty Mr. Kalyan Chakrabarty, whose contribution in stimulating suggestions and encouragement, helped me to coordinate my project.

I would like to thank all the users of my product- drumsticks who provided me with the required information and suggestions.

Also, I thank Mr. K Murugan for allowing me to use the tools and machines in the workshop to deveop my mock up.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Introduction A drum stick is a type of percussion mallet used particularly for playing snare drum, drum kit and some other percussion instruments, and particularly for playing unpitched percussion.

Drum sticks generally have all of the following characteristics: • • • •

They are normally supplied and used in pairs.

They are held in the hands, most often one in each hand.

They may be used to play at least some sort of drum (as well as other instruments).

They are normally used only for untuned percussion.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

110 CM

CRASH CYMBAL

SMALL TOM SMALL TOM 70 CM

CRASH CYMBAL

HI HAT HI HAT

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SNARE SNARE DRUM

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

BASS DRUM

RIDE CYMBAL MIDDLE TOM

FLOOR TOM BASS PEDAL 40-45CM

40CM

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Anatomy of Drum Stick

BUTT-END GRIP

BUTT-END

BUTT-END Centerless grinding shapes a rounded butt-end that is more comfortable in the hand. It also creates fuller tones than the tip end when played on drums and cymbals.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

GRIP

SHAFT

Smack a good rimshot on your This area of the stick should feel snare. The shaft takes the most comfortable in your hand when you play. Thinner sticks are easier to handle impact. and therefore more versatile.

Length Shorter sticks are easier to control and weigh less. Longer sticks increase reach, response, flexibility and leverage.

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

TIP SHOULDER NECK

SHAFT

SHOULDER

Where the stick shaft slopes into the neck. Front-heavy sticks feature shoulders that are closer to the stick tip. This produces less bounce and response, allowing you to dig in and be “on top� of the music.

NECK The area just before the tip and the thinnest part of the stick. Thinner necks flex more, making the stick more responsive.

TIP Tips dramatically affect the type of sound sticks will produce when you use them since they are the part of the stick that makes the most contact with cymbals and drums.

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Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

DIFFERENT

SIZES

The standard dimensions of a drum stick vary from40-45 cm in length and 0.7-2.2cm in diameter.

1 They are classified by a number and alphabet

assigned to each pair. The larger the number, smaller the stick. While larger the alphabet, larger the stick.

Initially the alphabets were assigned as follows: A-jazz/orchestra B-band S-marching, where only snare drum was used

2 On the other hand, the signature sticks of

prominent artists are constructed exclusively to suit their style and hence disobey the standard dimensions.

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Material Hickory wood: Not too hard, not too soft, shock absorbant.

Maple Wood: Soft, chips easily, light weight Oak Wood: Too rigid, transfers shock to hand.

Alluminium: Light weight, does not chip, low shock absorption

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Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Tips Acorn shaped: versatile sound Barrel shape: Fattens the sound Bead shaped: Small striking surface area Oval shaped: Medium contact Nylon tip: Brighter sound, pops off Wooden tip: Darker sound, chips and breaks

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

DIFFERENT

grips Power grip

The fingers are bunched firmly around an object and overlapped by the thumb. The handle is thick enough to separate the fingertips from the palm. In this situation the forearm muscles have shortened half-way through their available range of contraction, and they are at their most efficient, because of the mechanics of the line of pull.

There should be a large area of contact, with no spots of local high pressure to prevent strength of grip being inhibited by discomfort.

A common variant of the power grip is having the thumb out straight along the back of a handle. This is a ‘power grip with a precision component’.

Internal Precision Grip

Here the tool handle is held parallel to the work surface rather than at an angle to it. The hand may be steadied by the knuckles resting ormoving on the work surface, or against the other hand, and there is less mobility in using the tool.

Internal Precision Grip Power grip

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DIFFERENT

grips

In French grip, the palms of the hands face directly toward each other and the stick is moved primarily with the fingers rather than the wrist as in German grip. This allows a greater degree of finesse, which is why many timpanists prefer French grip. Because this grip uses the smaller and faster finger muscles, this grip is used by single-stroke champions. It also comes in handy for playing fast tempo swing or jazz for the ride cymbal. For louder strokes, the wrist rotates much in the same way as when hammering a nail.

American grip is a hybrid of the French grip and German grip. The palms of the hands typically are at about a 45-degree angle, and both the fingers and wrist are used to propel the stick.

This grip is considered a general-purpose grip by percussionists because it combines the power of German grip with the finesse of French grip. It is used to play everything from snare drums to xylophones.

Traditional grip (also known as orthodox grip) is a technique used to hold drum sticks while playing percussion instruments. Unlike matched grip, each hand holds the stick differently.

Commonly, the right hand uses an overhand grip and the left hand uses an underhand grip

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

important

terminology

Throw: This is the way in which the stick is quite literally ‘thrown’ from your hand. Often called the “down stroke”, this is the motion with which you strike the instrument. It is the most important thing you will ever do drum-wise, and it is affected by every single factor below.

Balance: The balance is the point of equilibrium in the stick. If the balance of a stick is further down the shaft, it will feel heavier to throw.

If it is nearer the tip, it will have more downward power (on the down stroke) but be h stick is, affects how fast it can be thrown and how loud you play.

Length: The length is very important to the throw of the stick and the leverage of the stroke. The longer the stick, the greater reach it has, but a stick that is too long can affect balance and playability.

Finish: These range from the unfinished type to high gloss and everything in-between. If your hands sweat a lot, you might find that a glossy stick is too difficult to grip.

Shaft: The shaft is the thickest part of the stick that goes from the rounded butt to the taper. It is the longest part, and usually displays the manufacturers logo. The thickness of the shaft will affect the overall tone, weight and feel of the stick. It goes without saying that a thicker stick will be heavier and produce a louder sound, with lots of durability. A thinner stick will be easier to throw, be faster and plays with more ease.

Taper: The taper of a stick is the distance at which the stick begins to narrow from the shaft to the tip of the stick. The shorter the taper, the more durable the stick and heavier it is to throw, but longer tips have a faster speed and response with more flex at the price of a shorter lifespan.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics Founded | Drumsticks in 1963 and headquartered in

Boston, Massachusetts, the company bills itself as the world’s largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets, which are made in Newport, Maine.

As of 2012, the company offered about 300 products, and made 12 million sticks a year.

VIc Firth

Famous Endorsers: Steve Gadd Dave Weckl Steve Jordan Russ Miller Price Range: Starting INR500

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Pro Mark ProMark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company founded by professional drummer and drum shop owner, Herb Brochstein.

It is the first company to introduce Japanese Shira Kashi white oak into the American market, and the only company to successfully market oak sticks in the United States. The wood provided for ProMark is supplied by Japanese trader Tatsuo Kosaka.

In recent years ProMark has moved to use of non-endangered wood and a “green� finishing process to make their sticks and manufacturing processes safer to the player and the environment.

In 1985 ProMark patented a rute for drum kit use, introducing it as the Hot Rod. Famous endorsers: Chris Adler Jarrod Alexander Neil Peart Martin Axenrot Mike Portnoy Price range: Starting INR700

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Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Composed of an alluminium tube with polyurethane covers on the shaft. These sticks are light weight.

A Vibration reduction system is employed in their construction.

Hence it is long lasting and comes with several replacable tips.

A major USP of this brand is that allt he sticks are recyclable.

Ahead

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Famous Endorsers: Phil Rudd Lars Ulrich Mike Johnston Price Range: Starting INR1000

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

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Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

problem

areas 1.Grip

Every drummer has a different fashion of holding the sticks hence a common grip allowed by the standard sticks doesn’t work for everyone.

Also, during long duration shows, palms tend to get sweaty and sticks slip out of the hand. The wood used in the construction of the sticks does not absorb moisture and poses an issues with sweaty palms.

Durmmers tend to tape the shafts of the sticks. But it is only a temporary solace from the problem of uncomfortable gripping.

2.Strength

Drumming requires a lot of strength and sticks are hit against plastic as well as metal(cymbals).

Wooden sticks tend to chip and eventually break into pieces.

Splinters from a stick on the verge of breaking injuries the hands causing cuts and blisters.

Chipped drumsticks provide an uncomfortable playing experience.

3.Customised Dimensions

Every drummer feels comfortable with a slghtly customised diameter or length to suit their style of playing.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

existing

solutions Boso Bamboo Sticks

Boso uses two types of bamboo in its stick offerings. The Natural line consists of 100 percent reformed bamboo, which creates a stick that’s much lighter than one made with commonly used hickory. The Dark series is crafted from compressed bamboo, which is heavier than hickory. Boso also offers a third line, Strata, which is a combination of Natural and Dark. Strata sticks are approximately the same weight as standard hickory models.

Cristiano Silva - Permallets

The MISSOMÂŽ PERMALLETS are drumsticks that are presented in an ergonomic way and are designed for initiation to the snare drum and percussion, helping students to ensure a correct way to catch them.

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

Shakerstix

The entire line of Shakerstix™ drumsticks were created to give every drummer or percussionist the ability to add that smooth, rhythmic shaker sound to their playing style without sacrificing creativity. Whether it be Jazz, Rock, Progressive, Hip-Hop, Latin or “Unplugged,” Shakerstix™ is the one stick no drummer should be without!

Gripper

Plastic mould which fits on the finger like a ring and prevents slipping during shows.

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users

response User 1: Aveleon Giles Vaz Band: Five8, Think Foyd Genre: Rock/funk/groove

Length 16 1/4” Diameter .575” Natural finish Round/acorn tip (better cymbal sound) Short taper (more weight in front for rebound)

User 2: Srijan Mahajan

Band: Fuzz Culture, Parikrama Genre: Rock/electronica Uses Pro Mark 5B’s made out of ShiraKashi Oak or American Hickory.

Wants a pair with the same attack as the 5B’s but are slightly lighter at the top.

User 3: Raghav Sehgal Band: 1833 AD Genre: Black Metal

Requires smooth,varnished finish.

Pitch pairing Moisture content 6-12% 1/4th taper Wooden-warm tone Hickory and oak

User 4:Udit Mahar

Band: Nigambodh Genre: Hindi Prog Metal Uses Vic Firth american hickory/ Nova/Zildjian.

Requires durability.

Hard hits .

Not too heavy, but heavy sounding Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

User 5: Rijul Victor

Band: Colossal Figures Genre: Prog Metal Uses Vic Firth’s 5As american hickory Requires fat round tips in the exact same stick Roundness makes for better rebound,but most round tipped sticks arent for metal,and when they are they are fatter No additional grips as they create an unnatural feel to the fingers leading to more blisters because of that unnecessary friction

User 6: Roshan Roy

Band: The Urban Early Men Genre: Psychedelic rock Wants to change grip Thumb burns due to friction Band logo

User 7: Pallav Sharma

Band: Trigger Genre: Progressive heavy metal Special added grip Grooves in the wood Softer material of grip Longer version of 5a

User 8: Vaibhav Ahuja

Band: Raagleela Genre: Indian Classical Fusion Elongate the normal vif firth 5As Durable but light Use mallets a lot so wants a mallet behind every stick

User 9:Arjun Mathur Band: Red Shorts Genre: Funk/blues American hickory Pitch pairing Natural finish Neha Mann | F&LA 5

solution 1:

speed

& control

These drumsticks have a specially weighted end which shifts the center of balance back to your hand to provide the more control.

Helps play with less effort and stick shock while achieving higher levels of speed and control.

Black paint at the butt end Shifts center of balance to hand

Natural finish

Thin neck increases rebound

Increases weight in the front

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

solution 2:

grip

& comfort The raised handle on the drumstick allows the thumb to relax, reducing strain and simultaneously increasing stamina. The use of rubber rings reduces vibration and shock to the wrist, decreasing the risk of the long-term injuries so many drummers have to deal with (Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis, etc.).

Gives a sense of positining without looking down.

Short taper for increased control

Can be used as a mallet on the cymbal Rubber rings for shock absorption

Contoured handle

Provides gap between thumb and finger Neha Mann | F&LA 5

solution 3:

anti

slip These drumsticks have a unique handle built into the grip which helps prevent the sticks from slipping out of your hands while playing.

Shifting weight back to the hand, it provides increased control and speed.

Effortless playing Provides proper positiong of hand

Anti slip handle

Long taper for flexibility

Thicker overall

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Shifts weight back to hand

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

solution 3:

for

beginners

These drumsticks help beginners to learn the right positiong and method of gripping. The rubber grip acts as a clue to position fingers correctly.

Helps beginners learn the right grip

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Ergonomics | Drumsticks

learning • • • • • •

The understanding of body dimensions with relevance to products Learning about material characteristics Understanding user comfort Study of grips Collecting user responce about an existing product Application of the collected information to developing a refined product

Neha Mann | F&LA 5

Neha Mann | F&LA 5