How to Buy Marching Snare Drums

Marching snare drums are designed for use in a marching band, being lightweight enough to easily carry while projecting their sound well without the need for a microphone. As with any drum, there are differences in sound and quality from one marching snare set to the next. In order to make sure that you get the set of marching snares that best meets your needs, you should shop around and compare different drum sets in order to find the ones that you want to buy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Using your local phone directory, internet listings, and recommendations from your band leader, locate stores which specialize in musical instruments and marching band equipment. Because of the possible differences from one set of drums to the next, you should try to buy your drums in person instead of ordering them from a remote company or buying them online.

2. Talk to the people in the music store about your marching snare options, seeing which models they offer. The top brands of marching snare tend to be Yamaha, Pearl, Ludwig, and Premier, though the music store may have drums by other manufacturers that meet your needs as well.

3. Pick up the different marching snares, checking their size, depth, and weight. Try the drums out, noting the sound that they produce and paying special attention to how well the sound is projected.

4. Visit more than one store if possible, comparing the prices from one store to the next and also comparing the quality and sound of the drums against each other. This will help to ensure that you get the best quality of sound and workmanship while not paying any more than you have to for the marching snare drums that you buy.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you have the permission of the store owner before you test the drums, as marching snares can be loud indoors and you don't want to startle anyone. The owner may have a room set aside for this, or may request that you step outside