How to Learn the Snare Drum

Beginner drummers should start with the snare drum.

The snare drum is a percussion instrument utilizing several gut, nylon, wire, or wire-covered silk strings, or snares, stretched across a thin bottom head. When the upper, or batter, head is struck with a drum stick, the air inside the drum vibrates, causing the bottom head to also vibrate against the snare, creating a "snap" or "pop" sound. Snare drums are used in military marching bands, high school or college marching bands, orchestras, or as part of a drum set in a jazz ensemble, rock or country band. Important steps in learning the snare drum include tuning, choosing sticks, holding sticks, understanding time signatures and basic drum rudiments.

Things You'll Need

• Snare drum
• Drum stand
• Drum sticks
• Drum key

Instructions

Tuning the Drum

1. Tune the drum using a tuning key, which can be purchased cheaply at most any music store.

2. Place the key on the tension rod and turn the key one or two turns, then do the same for the rod directly opposite.

3. Tighten the head uniformly, using the drum stick to tap the head approximately one to two inches from each rod until the pitch is the same for each rod.

4. Continue to tighten the head until you get the sound you want, then tighten the bottom head in the same manner.

5. Tighten the snare using the tightening lug attached to the snare until you get a crisp "pop" sound.

Choosing Drum Sticks

1. Figure out the type of wood stick you want: maple, hickory or oak. Hickory and maple have excellent flexibility and energy absorption, while oak will not break as easily.

2. Choose between a nylon and wood tip. Nylon is great for bringing out cymbals and getting better stick bounce, while wood is more common but tends to chip.

3. Choose a stick size. The thinner 7A tends to be great for jazz players, while the thicker 2B, 5A and 5B sticks are good for rock.

Holding the Sticks

1. Hold both sticks between the index finger and thumb about a third of the way up with palms facing down.

2. Close the other fingers around the stick loosely and let it move back and forth between your partially closed fingers and palm; hold tightly with the index finger and thumb. This is the "matched grip."

3. Stick your middle and index fingers straight out, then stick your thumb out and place the stick between your two fingers and thumb.

4. When the stick is in place, close the two fingers over the stick loosely, letting the stick rest between the first and second joint of the ring finger. This is the "traditional grip."

5. Hold the sticks loosely toward the end of the fingers and tightly between the thumb and index finger, letting the stick bounce freely. This is the "French grip."

Learning to Count Time

1. Count a note -- whole, half or quarter note -- as a stroke.

2. Count 4/4 signature time as four quarter notes per measure, 5/4 time as five quarter notes per measure, 7/8 time as seven eighth notes per measure, and so forth.

3. Play the different beats per measure by tapping them out on the snare drum with each hand representing a note or stroke.

Learning Drum Rudiments

1. Play the single stroke roll, the most basic of the 40 rudiments, by alternating a stroke per hand in 4/4 time, gradually picking up speed. For example: R, L, R, L, R, L, R, L.

2. Play the double stroke roll by striking the drum twice with each stick, alternating back and forth and gradually picking up speed. For example: RR, LL, RR, LL, RR, LL.

3. Play a single paradiddle by alternating between right and left, gradually picking up speed. For example: RLRR, LRLL, RLRR, LRLL.

4. Play a flam stroke by holding up both sticks, one slightly higher than the other, then bringing them both down on the head, then alternating with the other hand. For example: rL, lR, rL, lR.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry if you don't pick up rudiments right away. Skillful drumming takes hand-eye coordination and much practice.

• Listen to marching band CDs or tapes. Hearing the drums alongside the band will give you an idea of how the drums fit.

• Gripping drumsticks improperly will not only adversely affect your playing, it can also cause blisters.

References

• Rock Drumming Underground: How to play the essential drum rudiments
• Rock Drumming Underground: Essentials Every Drummer Must Learn
• Drum Muffler.com: History of the Snare Drum

Resources

• Rock Drumming Underground: Learn How to Count Time as a Drummer