How to Spin & Twirl A Drumstick In 5 Easy Ways (Look More Like A Pro)

Twirl A Drumstick

Being a drummer is cool enough on its own. Add a few drumstick tricks while you play, and you’ll be the star of every show! 

Drumstick tricks can be too challenging for a beginner, but it is not that difficult to learn at all. With useful information on how to hold drumsticks correctly and lots of practice, you will be doing drumstick tricks like a pro in no time!

Here are five awesome drumstick tricks you can learn and use on your future shows. We will also be giving you a video guide for every single trick to make learning easier for you. 

5 Ways on How to Spin A Drumstick

There are plenty of ways for you to do cool drumstick tricks. Some of them are fairly simple and easy and the rest you can do with some practice. To get you started, I have listed down five tricks that you can do right away!

Stick Tricks 1: The Fake Twirl

This one is extremely easy. It does not require a lot of movements from the rest of your fingers, but it gives an illusion of you twirling the drumsticks between them.

Technically, this one is the oldest trick in the book. Every drummer–and even some who are not–know how to do this trick. Here is how you do it:

Step 1: Put the drumstick between your index finger and middle finger.

Step 2: Wiggle the drumstick so it draws a horizontal figure “8” in the air.

If you need a visual on how to do this, here’s a fantastic video for you:
 

Stick Tricks 2: The Loop

This one is a step harder than the fake twirl above. This will actually require you to twirl the drumstick between your fingers. Luckily, it only requires you to loop the drumstick around one finger, hence the name of the trick! Here is how it is done:

Step 1: Hold the drumstick between your index finger and thumb with your fingers folded into your palm. 

Step 2: Using your middle finger, push the drumstick upwards, and let it twirl around your index finger.

Step 3: Catch the drumstick as it lands on your palm.

Here’s a quick video that shows you how to do this.

You can even change this simple trick up a little bit. For example, you can use your thumb instead of your index finger. Simply put the stick in between your thumb and index finger, and, using your middle finger, spin the stick so it loops around your thumb. Once the stick completes its loop around your thumb, push it upwards, and get ready to catch it. 

For a better visual, here is a video showcasing how to do that perfectly:

Stick Tricks 3: The Palm Spin

This is a bit more challenging, as it takes time to get your drumstick facing the right way. However, with practice, you can do this with ease even while you are playing drums. Still, it takes a lot of time to get used to, so it is important to get started right away! Here is how you can do it:

Step 1: First, turn your hand over so your palm is up. Do not let go of your drumstick, just keep the grip as loose as you usually do.

Step 2: Spin the stick using your fingers and then open your palm to let the stick spin on top of it.

Here is a visual guide on how to do it: 

 

Stick Tricks 4: The Flip

Like the palm spin trick, this one requires a little bit of practice to make sure your drumstick lands on the right end. However, there are ways to increase the likelihood of your drumstick landing correctly on your palm. Here is how:

Step 1: Make sure that you are holding your stick near the end.

Step 2: Toss the stick with enough force to spin once while pushing the butt of your drumstick with the palm of your hand to tilt it forward.

Step 3: Let the stick land and catch it on its butt.

Here is a visual guide on how to do it: 

Once you are more used to the single flip, you can add even more flips when you toss your stick!

Stick Tricks 5: The Twirl

Instead of faking the twirl, you will be learning how to do the real one. It will take some time to perfect it and even more time to incorporate this trick to your playing. However, this one looks really cool when you do it on stage! 

Step 1: Starting from your standard drumstick grip, place your stick between your index and middle finger. It is important to maintain the loose, relaxed hold on your drumstick throughout this process. Give it a try with either your left or right hand!

Step 2: Apply a slight force to the stick using your middle finger. Doing this will cause the stick to fall backward.

Step 3: Keep the torque going by using your ring finger to support the spin and then your pinky finger. 

Step 4: As the stick touches your pinky finger, use your middle finger to guide the spin upwards.

Step 5: Twirl the stick between your ring finger and middle finger. This time, instead of using the pads of your fingers as an anchor, use the back of your fingers to turn.  

Step 6: As the stick moves up, twirl the stick around your middle and index finger.

Step 7: Finally, allow the stick to twirl around your index finger and grasp it as it lands on your palm, reverting to your standard drumstick holding position.

If you need a better visual representation of this trick, here is an amazing video to check out:  And there you have it! Five cool drumstick tricks that you can practice to impress your audience on your next gig.

Doing these tricks will not add to your playing skills at all. These are solely for adding a little bit of flair while you play and capturing the attention of your audience through sheer stage presence. 

As a performer, it is part of your job to entertain your audience and this is definitely one of the things that can help impress them.

I hope these instructions on how to do amazing drumstick tricks were able to help you. If you want to learn more, click here. Just remember to keep practicing, and soon enough, you will nail that toss right on the head. Good luck!