The snare drum, also affectionately known as the “side drum” in some circles, is a percussion powerhouse that has been captivating audiences for centuries. Its sharp, staccato sound is instantly recognizable and has found its way into a diverse range of musical genres, from the grandeur of orchestras to the high – energy beats of rock bands and the precision of marching bands.
Construction of the Snare Drum
The Drum Shell
The shell of a snare drum is like its backbone. It comes in various materials, each imparting a unique character to the drum’s sound. Wooden shells, such as those made from maple, birch, or mahogany, are popular for their warm and rich tones. Maple, for example, offers a balanced sound with a good amount of sustain. Birch, on the other hand, can produce a brighter, more focused sound.
Metal shells, including brass, steel, and aluminum, are also widely used. Brass shells often give a more brilliant and cutting sound, which can be great for genres where the snare needs to stand out, like in some forms of rock and jazz. Aluminum shells are lightweight and can produce a somewhat drier and more modern – sounding tone.
The shape of the shell is typically cylindrical, but the depth can vary. Shallow – depth snare drums, which are often around 3 – 5 inches deep, tend to produce a higher – pitched, more focused sound. They are popular in jazz and some modern music styles where a quick – response and articulate sound are desired. Deeper snare drums, with depths ranging from 6 – 10 inches or more, produce a fuller, warmer, and more resonant sound. These are commonly used in orchestras and some styles of rock to add more body to the snare’s tone.
The Heads
A snare drum has two heads. The top head, known as the batter head, is the one that the drummer strikes with the drumstick. In modern drums, both the batter head and the bottom (resonant) head are usually made of mylar plastic. Mylar is durable, consistent in its sound production, and relatively easy to maintain. Historically, however, the heads were made from animal skins, such as calf or goat skin. Animal – skin heads were prized for their natural and warm sound, but they required more care and were affected by humidity more than mylar heads.
The tension of the heads is crucial. Tension rods are used to adjust the tightness of the heads. When the heads are tightened, the pitch of the drum increases, and the sound becomes brighter and more focused. Loosening the heads lowers the pitch and gives a more mellow and resonant sound. The drummer can fine – tune the tension of each head to achieve the desired tonal balance.
The Snares
The snares are what give the snare drum its signature sound. They are a series of stiff wires, usually made of metal, but can also be made of plastic, nylon, or even gut in some traditional or specialty drums. These wires are held under tension against the lower (resonant) head. When the top head is struck, the vibrations from the batter head travel through the air inside the drum shell and cause the resonant head to vibrate. This, in turn, makes the snares vibrate, producing that characteristic sharp, cracking sound.
Most snare drums are equipped with a lever called a strainer. The strainer allows the drummer to engage or disengage the snares from the resonant head. When the snares are disengaged, the snare drum sounds more like a tom – tom, with a more mellow and less “snappy” sound. This feature is useful for creating different musical effects, such as in some orchestral pieces where a softer, non – snare – like sound is required at certain moments. The strainer can also be adjusted to change the tension of the snares, which affects the intensity and character of the snare sound. Tighter snare tension results in a more aggressive and crisp sound, while looser tension gives a slightly more subdued and “woolly” snare sound.
The Rim
The rim is the metal or wooden ring that surrounds the batter head and holds it onto the drum shell. It also provides tension to the head. The rim plays an important role in some playing techniques. For example, in a rimshot, the drummer strikes both the head and the rim simultaneously with a single drumstick. This technique produces a sharp, clicking sound that is often used for accents in many musical styles, especially in rock, pop, and jazz. Different types of rims can also affect the sound. Thicker rims tend to give a more solid and powerful rimshot sound, while thinner rims may produce a more delicate or “finesse – oriented” rimshot.
How the Snare Drum Produces Sound
When a drummer strikes the batter head of the snare drum with a drumstick, the head begins to vibrate. These vibrations are transferred through the air inside the drum shell to the resonant head. As the resonant head vibrates, it causes the snares, which are in close contact with it, to also vibrate. The interaction between the vibrating heads and the snares creates the characteristic sharp and staccato sound of the snare drum.
The type of beater used can also influence the sound. Drumsticks, which are the most common beater for a snare drum, come in different sizes and materials. Thicker drumsticks generally produce a louder and more powerful sound when striking the drum, while thinner ones can offer more control and a lighter touch. Other beaters, such as brushes or rutes, can be used to achieve different tones. Brushes, which are made of thin wire or bristles, create a softer, more “swishy” sound when played on the snare drum. They are often used in jazz music to add a more subtle and smooth texture. Rutes, which are bundles of thin wooden sticks, can produce a unique, dry sound that is sometimes used in certain styles of world music or experimental music.
Playing Techniques on the Snare Drum
Basic Strokes
The single stroke is the most fundamental technique. It involves striking the drum head with one drumstick in a simple up – down motion. The double stroke is a bit more advanced, where the drummer strikes the drum head twice in quick succession with the same stick. This requires good control and coordination of the wrist. The roll is another important technique. There are different types of rolls, such as the single – stroke roll, double – stroke roll, and buzz roll. In a single – stroke roll, the drummer alternates between the left and right hands, striking the drum head in a rapid succession. A double – stroke roll is similar, but each hand strikes the drum twice in a row before alternating. A buzz roll is achieved by pressing the tip of the drumstick firmly on the drum head while rapidly vibrating the wrist, creating a continuous, buzzing sound.
Rimshots and Cross – Stick
Rimshots, as mentioned earlier, are a characteristic technique of the snare drum. In a rimshot, the drummer aims to strike both the head and the rim at the same time. This can be done in different ways. In a traditional rimshot, the drummer uses one stick to hit the head and the rim simultaneously. In orchestral playing, there is a variation where a stick is placed on the head and the rim is struck by the opposite stick. Rimshots are used to add accents and punctuation to the music, and their sharp sound can cut through a mix of other instruments.
The cross – stick technique, also known as “rim click” or “side – stick,” is another interesting way to play the snare drum. To perform a cross – stick, the drummer holds the tip of the drumstick against the drum head and strikes the other end (the butt) of the stick against the rim, using the hand to mute the head. This produces a dry, high – pitched click sound, similar to that of a set of claves. It is particularly common in Latin and jazz music, where it adds a unique rhythmic element.
Ghost Notes
Ghost notes are very soft, “filler” notes played in between the main beats. They are used to add texture and complexity to the rhythm. Drummers play ghost notes with a very light touch, often using a combination of wrist and finger control. These notes are not meant to be as prominent as the main beats but rather to create a more detailed and interesting rhythmic pattern. For example, in a complex drum fill, ghost notes can be used to add a sense of movement and fluidity.
History of the Snare Drum
The snare drum has a long and storied history. It is believed to have originated from the tabor, a small drum that was initially used to accompany the flute. The tabor evolved over time, and the snare drum as we know it today began to take shape.
In medieval Europe, the tabor – like drums with snares on the upper head or sometimes both heads were common. As time passed, the side drum, which is an early form of the modern snare drum, emerged. The side drum was suspended at the player’s left side by a belt or a shoulder strap and was often paired with the fife in Swiss infantry (lansquenet) regiments from the 14th century onward. It spread throughout Europe from there. In the military context, the side drum was crucial. It helped keep the marching pace of the soldiers and was used to convey signals for various actions during battles or drills.
Early forms of the side drum were often equal to or slightly greater in height than in diameter. They had thicker membranes and sticks compared to modern instruments, resulting in a heavier and less brilliant sound. The 19th century brought significant changes to the snare drum. It became shallower, and brass shells became more common. Rod or screw tensioning systems were also introduced, which made it easier to adjust the tension of the heads and snares.
The 20th century saw further advancements. A mechanism was developed to release the snares instantaneously. This was useful for creating special effects, such as in orchestral pieces where the composer might want to suddenly change the sound of the snare drum to a non – snare – like tone. It also helped to avoid unwanted sympathetic vibrations caused by other instruments. Before the 20th century, the membranes of the snares were usually made of gut, but over time, materials like metal, plastic, and nylon became more prevalent due to their durability and consistent performance.
The first conclusively documented orchestral use of the snare drum was by the French composer – viol virtuoso Marin Marais in a storm scene in his opera Alcyone in 1706. However, it did not become a standard orchestral instrument until the late 19th century, when Russian composers like Nikolay Rimsky – Korsakov started using it more frequently. Since then, the snare drum has become an essential part of not only orchestras but also concert bands, marching bands, drumlines, drum corps, and countless other musical ensembles across the globe.
Types of Snare Drums
Kit Snare Drum
The kit snare drum is the type most commonly associated with a drum set. It is designed to be played in a seated position as part of a collection of percussion instruments. Kit snare drums come in a variety of sizes, but a popular size for the diameter is around 14 inches, and the depth can range from 3 – 8 inches. They are known for their versatility and ability to adapt to different musical styles. In rock music, a kit snare drum with a medium – depth shell and a bright – sounding head can cut through the mix of guitars, bass, and vocals. In jazz, a shallower kit snare drum may be preferred for its quick response and ability to produce delicate and articulate sounds.
Marching Snare Drum
Marching snare drums are specifically designed for use in marching bands and drum corps. They are built to be durable and withstand the rigors of outdoor performances while marching. These drums are usually larger and deeper than kit snare drums, often with a diameter of 14 – 15 inches and a depth of 8 – 12 inches. The larger size helps to produce a louder and more powerful sound that can carry over long distances in an outdoor environment. Marching snare drums also have special mounting systems to allow them to be worn securely on the drummer’s body while marching. The playing style for marching snare drums often involves more precision and a specific set of rudiments that are tailored to the demands of marching formations.
Piccolo Snare Drum
The piccolo snare drum is the smallest of the common snare drum types. It typically has a diameter of around 10 – 13 inches and a shallow depth, usually 3 – 5 inches. Due to its small size, it produces a very high – pitched and bright sound. Piccolo snare drums are often used in situations where a more delicate and high – pitched snare sound is required. They can be found in some orchestral works, as well as in certain styles of music where a unique, “airy” snare tone is desired. In a drum corps, the piccolo snare drum may be used to add a higher – pitched counterpoint to the larger marching snare drums.
Tarol Snare Drum
The tarol snare drum has a unique construction where the snares are located on the top head instead of the bottom head, which is the opposite of most snare drums. This results in a different sound character. The tarol snare drum is often used in traditional music from certain regions, and its sound can be more “up – front” and immediate compared to regular snare drums. The way the drummer strikes the head to interact with the snares on top also requires a different technique, which has been developed within the context of the musical traditions that use this type of drum.
The Role of the Snare Drum in Different Musical Genres
Orchestral Music
In an orchestra, the snare drum can be used to create a variety of effects. It can add excitement and drama, such as in a battle scene or a stormy passage. The snare drum’s sharp sound can cut through the rich texture of the orchestra to emphasize certain rhythmic accents. Composers often use the snare drum in combination with other percussion instruments to build tension or add a sudden burst of energy. For example, in a symphonic piece with a crescendo leading to a climax, the snare drum may be introduced at the right moment to heighten the excitement.
Marching Bands and Drum Corps
In marching bands and drum corps, the snare drum is a cornerstone of the percussion section. It helps to set the rhythm and keep the entire band in sync while marching. The precise and powerful beats of the snare drum are essential for maintaining the tempo and creating the characteristic “marching” feel. In a drum corps performance, the snare drummers often perform complex choreography along with their playing, adding a visual element to the music. The different types of snare drums used in these settings, such as the larger marching snare drums and the high – pitched piccolo snare drums, work together to create a rich and dynamic soundscape.
Rock and Pop Music
In rock and pop music, the snare drum is a fundamental part of the drum set. It provides the backbeat, which is the driving rhythm that many songs are built around. The sharp crack of the snare drum on beats 2 and 4 (in a 4/4 time signature) gives the music its danceable and energetic feel. In rock music, the snare drum is often recorded with a lot of compression and EQ to make it stand out in the mix. The use of rimshots and powerful strokes on the snare drum can add aggression and excitement to the music, making it a key element in creating the high – energy atmosphere that is characteristic of rock and pop performances.
Jazz Music
Jazz drummers use the snare drum in a very creative way. The snare drum can be used to play complex rhythms, accents, and fills. The ability to use different techniques like cross – stick, brushes, and delicate ghost notes allows jazz drummers to add a lot of texture and personality to the music. In a jazz combo, the snare drum interacts closely with the other instruments, responding to the melodies and solos of the horns and the bass line. The drummer may use the snare drum to create a swinging feel, with subtle variations in the rhythm that make the music come alive.
Conclusion
The snare drum is a remarkable percussion instrument with a rich history, diverse construction, and a wide range of playing techniques. Its unique sound has made it an essential part of countless musical genres, from the formal settings of orchestras to the energetic world of rock concerts and the precision of marching bands. Whether you’re a professional drummer, a music enthusiast, or just someone who has ever been intrigued by the sharp crack of a snare drum, there’s no denying the impact and versatility of this fascinating instrument. As music continues to evolve, the snare drum will undoubtedly remain a key element in creating the rhythms and sounds that move and inspire us.
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