6 Crazy Stick Tricks

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Sure, stick tricks aren’t necessary as a drummer, but if you had the chance to use them in a drum solo for fun, why wouldn’t you?

With Marco Minnemann as your guide, here are 6 crazy stick tricks you can pepper into your playing to take the fire up a notch:

1. Combination with stick turn (0:20)

In this trick, you’ll be alternating stick turns with hits on the hi-hat.

The first time through, you’re flipping the right stick (starting with the butt of the stick):

RLL(turn)RLL(turn)RLL(turn)RLRR

Then the next time through, you’re flipping the left stick (also starting with the butt of the stick):

LRR(turn)LRR(turn)LRR(turn)LRLL

Think of it as three groups of three 16th notes, followed by one group of four 16th notes. Try this trick on cymbals, on the sticks themselves, and in any other variations that come to mind.

2. Stick tap paradiddles (2:27)

This trick combines single and double paradiddles. You’ll hit the left stick with your right stick, then finish the first paraddidle as you would normally. Then hit the right stick with your left stick, and finish that second paradiddle.

Using (s) where you hit one stick with the other, it would look like this for the single paradiddles:

(s)LRR (s)RLL

And like this for the double paradiddles:

(s)L(s)LRR (s)R(s)RLL

Combine the single and double paradiddles, get comfortable, get faster, and find your own way to show off this trick. It looks flashier and trickier than it is, but the audience will love it.

3. Stick tap doubles (3:38)

This one is just a simple double stroke combination:

(s)RLL (s)RLL

4. Twirling triplets (4:12)

Play the following triplets while turning the stick back and forth:

RLL RLL RLL RLL RLL
LRR LRR LRR LRR LRR

5. Cross-over combination (4:56)

With three notes on the hands alternating with three on the feet (Marco does it with two hi-hat pedals), this RLR RLR looks awesome as a crossover. Alternate the hands between your ride cymbal and the hi-hat, crossing and uncrossing each time.

6. Another cross-over combination (6:01)

Test your coordination skills with this right hand/left foot/left hand/right foot combination. Check out the video for a demonstration!

If you enjoyed these tips, you can find Marco’s lessons on interdependence and more on Drumeo Edge.

About Marco:
Marco Minnemann is a German drummer known for his technical playing and total limb independence, on which he’s published several educational books and a DVD. His work spans many genres, and includes bands and artists such as The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Eddie Jobson, Steven Wilson, Trey Gunn, Kreator, Necrophagist, Adrian Belew, Nena, Udo Lindenberg, Mike Keneally, Andy Partridge, FFW, Gianna Nannini, The Buddy Rich Big Band and more.

Marco plays:
DW Drums
Zildjian Cymbals
Evans Drumheads
Promark Drumsticks

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Marco Minnemann is a brilliant drummer, composer, and guitarist. He came to prominence due to his incredible facility on the drums and extreme level of independence. This led him to putting out two educational books and various DVDs, and performing at some of the best drum festivals in the world like PASIC, Modern Drummer Festival, Montreal Drumfest, and The Ultimate Drummers Weekend. Marco is a highly creative and engaged musician, having released over 15 solo albums and worked with artists such as Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Eddie Jobson, Steven Wilson, Trey Gunn, Kreator, Necrophagist, Adrian Belew, Nena, Udo Lindenberg, Mike Keneally, Andy Partridge, FFW, Gianna Nannini, The Buddy Rich Big Band, Jordan Rudess, and Tony Levin.