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I Broke A Stick

By Joseph "Stix" Davis - 6/27/18

I broke a stick during a show the other day; a Vic Firth 5A.

 

I was on the ride cymbal, playing the bow, when suddenly it felt like my stick had turned into a noodle. It was moving, so I couldn't inspect it closely, but it appeared to be in one piece. It was a strange feeling. I said to myself "This is about to break." and a few seconds later, it did just that. The tip, as well as part of the shoulder and shalf, split, went airborne, nearly hit me in the face, before finally landing behind me. I flipped the stick around and finished the song.

 

I've never broken a stick like this before. It's unusual for me to break anything. I'm not a hard hitter, and I try to make everything last as long as possible. I'll use a stick until the tip is completely worn down and the shoulder is frayed something fierce. That tends to take a long time.

 

I've used these sticks (and only these sticks, neglecting the others I have in my bag) for all rehearsals and performances this year (up until this show, of course), in addition to several rehearsals and performances from 2017. They've served me well.

 

I have at least a dozen unopened pairs of sticks, of various models, that I've had on the shelf waiting for one of my current pairs of sticks to be retired. I might finally try a different pair of sticks.

 

But I doubt it. Onto the next set of Vic Firth 5As.

 

Cheers!

 

- Stix