How to Play Off Beats on a Snare Drum

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Many traditional songs use the snare as a point of emphasis in percussion. Often, the snare is played on a beat to accent its sound. However, the snare also can played on off-beats for a different, edgier sound.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Start counting. To do produce off-beats, you must establish your rhythm. Set up your stock rhythm, preferably something light that employs the bass and the high hat, and count along. For the most common rock beat, you'll be doing 4/4, counting 1,2,3,4 on each bar, and then starting over at 1.
Step 2

Produce a rhythm for syncopation (another word for playing off-beats) with a different count. To count for syncopation, add "and" between each beat. For example, in "one and two and three and four," the "and" represents the syncopated off-beat. Hit the snare on "and" to effectively create an off-beat note on the snare.
Step 3

Practice using snare off-beats or syncopated beats on only one beat of a bar, or just at the end of a specific drum pattern for subtle emphasis. It may take time to get used to switching in and out of syncopation, but if you can do it, the new skill will enhance your technique.