My research has shown that there are as many 'styles' of playing as you could ever want. Another tipper I have heard of is a short one on a length of leather thong. The instrument can also be played without any stick, purely by the hands/elbow/forearm/whatever other body parts you want to make the sound you want.

It can also be played in many 'non-trad-irish' styles like any other frame drum.

Robin