noun Common

sticking

STIH-kihng

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Sticking (noun) means a pattern of drum notes worked out for which hand plays which beat. Example: “Her teacher wrote out the sticking for the fast drum fill.”

noun

A pattern of drum notes worked out for which hand plays which beat.

"Her teacher wrote out the sticking for the fast drum fill."

"Good sticking helps a drummer play quick patterns without tiring."

"The drummer practiced the sticking pattern slowly before speeding up."

How to use sticking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn drumming, the specific hand pattern used to play a rhythm.

Common pairings

sticking pattern alternating sticking

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: stickings

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Her teacher wrote out the _____ for the fast drum fill.

Rhymes for sticking

licking picking kicking dicking ticking nicking fricking pricking clicking tricking flicking panicking

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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.