How to Play a Rim Click on a Snare

Learning how to play the snare is essential in mastering the drum kit. There are many different ways to hit the snare. Each different hit of the snare brings out a unique sound. Playing a rim click on the snare can add an dynamic accent to your beat. The rim click is also called a cross stick.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Snare drum
• Drum sticks

Click Click Boom

1. To play a rim click you have to know about the snare drum. The middle of the snare drum, called the snare head, is the part you hit the most. The outside metal circling the drum is the rim.

2. Hit the rim click in slow breaks of the song so the sound can be pronounced. Or play the rim click in the beginning of a song to start the beat of with a kick.

3. Hold one drumstick in your left hand horizontal in the middle of the drum. Make sure the butt of your drumstick is hanging about 2 to 4 inches off of the side of the drum, over the rim. The tip of the drumstick should be on the head of the drum, an inch away from the other end of the rim.

4. Place your left hand over the middle of the shaft of the drumstick. Cradle the drumstick with your index finger and thumb. Try not to have any part of your hand on the drum, as this will effect the sound.

5. Slowly lift your wrist up about four inches and bring it down, hitting both the rim and the snare head at the same time. Do not lift your whole arm and wrist off of the drum. Just lift and lower your wrist.

6. Try not to let the tip of your drumstick come off of the drum. You are hitting the rim of the snare with the shaft of the drumstick and you want the sound to be even.

Tips & Warnings

• Start slowly and increase with practice
• Practice the rim click with different beats to find out what sound you like best.
• Play along with your favorite drummer on records.

Resources

• Rim Click video