sticking
Sticking (noun) means a pattern of drum notes worked out for which hand plays which beat. Example: “The drummer practiced the sticking pattern slowly before speeding up.”
How to use sticking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn drumming, the specific hand pattern used to play a rhythm.
Word forms
stickings plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The drummer practiced the _____ pattern slowly before speeding up.
Rhymes for sticking
Frequently asked questions
What does “sticking” mean?
The word “sticking” means a pattern of drum notes worked out for which hand plays which beat. In plain terms, in drumming, the specific hand pattern used to play a rhythm.
How do you pronounce “sticking”?
“Sticking” is pronounced STIH-kihng (/ˈstɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sticking” in a sentence?
Here is “sticking” used in a sentence: “The drummer practiced the sticking pattern slowly before speeding up.”
What part of speech is “sticking”?
“Sticking” is a noun.
Is “sticking” a common word?
“Sticking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between single stroke and double stroke sticking?
Single-stroke sticking alternates hands on every note, right-left-right-left, while double-stroke sticking gives each hand two notes in a row, right-right-left-left. They are the two most fundamental sticking patterns drummers practise, and many other patterns combine the two.
What do R and L mean in a drum sticking?
In a written sticking, R means the note is played by the right hand and L by the left hand. A sticking is the worked-out pattern of which hand plays which beat, so a paradiddle, for example, is written RLRR LRLL.
Why does sticking matter in drumming?
A well-chosen sticking keeps a pattern smooth and even, avoids awkward hand positions, and makes fast passages physically playable. Because the sticking decides which hand plays which beat, changing it can alter the accents and feel of the same written rhythm.