How to Play Different Rim Clicks on a Snare

Rim clicks are created by hitting the metal rim of a snare with the body of a drumstick whose tip, or bead, is resting on the drumhead. It creates a unique cracking sound, which can be manipulated by moving the location of the bead of the stick.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drumsticks
• Snare

How to Play Different Rim Clicks on a Snare

1. Learn how to play a rim click, by placing the tip of the stick (also known as the bead) against the drumhead. Now strike the body of the drumstick against the metal rim of the snare.

2. Play a high-pitched, crisp rim click on your snare by placing the tip of the drumstick toward the very edge of the drumhead, striking the rim with the body of the stick.

3. Play a lower pitched and duller rim click by moving the tip of the drumstick further away from the edge of the drumhead.

4. Play the lowest possible rim click by moving the tip, or bead, of the drumstick all the way to the center of the drumhead.

5. Switch the snare off, by lowering the lever on the side of the drum, and play the rim click. You will hear more of the drum when the rim click is played in this way.

Tips & Warnings

• Play around with how far toward the center you have the tip of your stick, familiarizing yourself with the wide variety of sounds you can produce by playing different rim clicks on a snare. Soon you will be an expert in deciding which kind of rim click you want for each particular piece of music on which you are playing.

Resources

• Video Tutorial on Rim Clicks
• Video Tutorial on Rim Clicks with Snare on and off