Stick Control: The Foundation of Drumming Technique

Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone is arguably the most influential drum method ever written. First published in 1935, this unassuming book of sticking exercises has shaped the technique of countless drummers across generations. From jazz pioneers to rock icons, nearly every serious drummer has spent time working through its pages.

The book's subtitle, "For the Snare Drummer," understates its true value. While originally intended for snare drum technique, Stick Control has become universal practice material applicable to all drumming styles and instruments. Its focus on hand independence, control, and dexterity makes it an essential tool for any percussionist seeking to improve their craft.

The History and Origins

George Lawrence Stone (1886-1967) was a prominent American percussionist and educator who served as president of the American Drummers Association and operated the Stone Drum School in Boston. His father, George B. Stone, was also a respected drummer and drum manufacturer who influenced the younger Stone's approach to technique.

Born just two decades after the Civil War, Stone developed his technique in an era when drummers were transitioning from military rudiments to more versatile playing approaches. This historical context helps explain the book's emphasis on rudiments and controlled stickings.

Stick Control emerged from Stone's teaching methods and was originally self-published. Its immediate adoption in educational circles demonstrated its effectiveness. The book gained particular prominence through influential educators like Jim Chapin and Alan Dawson, who incorporated it into their teaching curriculums and helped spread its popularity.

Structure of the Book

Stick Control is deceptively simple in its structure. The book contains numerous pages of sticking patterns presented in a straightforward format. Each exercise consists of alternating rights and left strokes represented by R's and L's, with no instructions on how to play them no dynamics, no tempo markings, and no suggested interpretations.

This minimalist approach is by design. Stone intended drummers to apply their own interpretation to the exercises, making Stick Control more of a tool than a complete method. The exercises are organized by complexity, starting with basic single strokes and gradually adding more challenging stickings.

The Basic Sections

1. Wrist Exercises: Simple alternating patterns designed to develop wrist motion and control
2. Finger Exercises: Patterns focusing on finger control and stick rebound
3. Roll Development: Rolls and buzzes using various sticking patterns
4. Beat Combinations: More complex patterns combining different stroke types
5. Duple and Triple Meter Exercises: Patterns emphasizing different time feels

Key Exercises and Their Benefits

While every exercise in Stick Control has value, several have achieved legendary status among drummers:

Principles of Stick Control Practice

The effectiveness of Stick Control lies not just in the exercises themselves but in how they're practiced. Several principles maximize the benefits of working with this method:

Slow Practice

Stone emphasized practicing very slowly to develop control and accuracy. Taking exercises to extremely slow tempos forces the drummer to focus on each stroke's quality and reveals technical imperfections that faster tempos might mask.

Dynamic Control

Exercises should be practiced at various dynamic levels, from pianissimo (very soft) to fortissimo (very loud). Slow crescendos and decrescendos within exercises develop dynamic control and finger strength.

Motion Variations

Each exercise can be played using different wrist and finger motions:

• Full wrist strokes At approximately 6-12 inches height
• Half strokes Around 3-6 inches
• Finger strokes Minimal wrist motion, using primarily fingers
• Mixed strokes Combining different motions in each hand

Metronomic Variations

Variations in tempo and metric feel include:

• Starting at very slow tempos and gradually increasing
• Playing exercises in different time signatures (triplets, sixteenth notes)
• Using metronome placement variations (click on different beats)

Applications Beyond Snare Drum

While Stick Control's title suggests focus on snare drum, its applications extend to the entire drum set:

Drum Set Orchestrations

Drummers can apply Stick Control patterns to the drum set in countless ways:

• Moving patterns between different surfaces (snare, toms, cymbals)
• Creating linear grooves where each hand and foot plays a different note
• Developing independence by assigning hihat to the right hand while playing patterns with the left
• Creating ostinatos with feet while playing patterns with hands

Appendage Development

The stickings in Stick Control are not limited to right and left hands. Drummers also use these patterns to:

• Develop foot technique by applying patterns to bass drum and hi-hat
• Create cross-limb independence challenges (right hand with left foot, etc.)
• Build coordination in all four limbs simultaneously

Famous Drummers and Stick Control

Nearly every notable drummer has some relationship with Stick Control. Several famous examples include:

Drummer	Approach to Stick Control
Buddy Rich	Reportedly could play the entire book from memory
Steve Gadd	Recommended practicing exercises with different interpretations
Vinnie Colaiuta	Uses Stick Control patterns as the foundation for many of his solos
Jojo Mayer	Discusses incorporating Stick Control into his revolutionary finger technique
Neil Peart	Mentioned Stick Control as part of his practice regimen throughout his career

The Dawson Method

Alan Dawson, legendary educator and drummer, developed a particularly influential method of integrating Stick Control into a comprehensive drumming curriculum. His approach included:

1. Rudimental Application: Applying rudiments to Stick Control patterns
2. Drum Set Orchestration: Moving patterns around the drum set
3. Song Interpretation: Applying patterns to song forms and repertoire
4. Improvisation: Using Stick Control as source material for soloing

Dawson's teaching influenced generations of drummers and elevated Stick Control from a collection of exercises to a comprehensive system for musical development.

Integrating Stick Control Into Your Practice

Getting the most from Stick Control requires thoughtful integration into your overall practice routine:

Establishing a Routine

Consider these approaches to incorporating Stick Control:

• Dedicated practice time at the beginning of each session
• Cycling through specific pages on a rotating schedule
• Focusing on particular technical challenges identified by a teacher
• Using exercises as warm-up material for longer practice sessions

Tracking Progress

Maintain a practice journal to track:

• Tempos achieved for each exercise
• Dynamic variations practiced
• Interpretations explored
• Time-focused goals for development

Modern Perspectives on Stick Control

In today's drumming landscape, Stick Control remains remarkably relevant despite being nearly a century old. Contemporary perspectives include:

Modern educators emphasize that while techniques and instruments have evolved, the fundamental principles of hand control and independence that Stick Control develops remain universal to excellent drumming across all styles.

Modern Teaching Adaptations

Today's teachers often supplement Stick Control with:

• Video demonstrations of interpretations
• Contemporary applications to modern styles
• Ergonomic considerations based on modern understanding of biomechanics
• Integration with electronic media and practice tools

Contemporary Critiques and Adaptations

While Stick Control is widely revered, some modern educators suggest:

• Complementing it with methods that focus more on musical application
• Being mindful of potential repetitive stress injuries with excessive practice
• Balancing pure technical work with musical playing and listening
• Using it as one component of a well-rounded technical approach

Conclusion

Stick Control endures because it addresses something fundamental about drumming: the quality of our sound originates in our hands' ability to control sticks with precision. While trends in music and drumming come and go, the connection between drummer, drum, and sound remains unchanged.

The genius of George Lawrence Stone was to create a method that focuses on this fundamental connection without prescribing musical style or application. This universality has allowed Stick Control to transcend its original purpose and become the most influential drum method ever published.

Whether you're a beginner developing basic technique or a professional maintaining your skills, Stick Control offers a pathway to improved control, independence, and ultimately, more expressive drumming. Its simple pages of stickings can provide a lifetime of exploration and improvement.

As you practice Stick Control, remember Stone's original intent and apply your own musicality and interpretation. In doing so, you'll connect with generations of drummers who have found excellence through these timeless exercises.

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