A drum beater comprises an elongated rod adapted to be mounted to a foot-operated beater drive mechanism and a beater head main body mounted to an end of the elongated rod. The beater head main body includes a recessed area disposed at an entry area where the elongated rod passes into the beater head main body and a shock absorber member is disposed in the recessed area such that the elongated rod directly engages both the beater head main body and the shock absorber to attenuate the transfer of vibration between the beater head main body and the elongated rod. In the preferred embodiment, the recessed area is formed as an annular opening facing away from said main body and the shock absorber member is removable disposed in the recessed area.