What Is a 14X3 Steel Piccolo Snare Drum?
Steel piccolo snare drums are smaller than standard snare drums. This means they typically give a higher-pitched sound. Piccolo snare drums are often used as a second snare drum in a drum set or as the main snare drum for players who regularly want a higher-pitched sound. Using it as a second snare drum gives players further snare drum sound options when it is mixed with their usual setup.
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Definition
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Fourteen-by-3 are the dimensions of the snare drum. That means the snare drum is 14 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. A standard snare drum is also 14 inches in diameter, but 5 to 6 inches deep. This thinner depth leads to the higher-pitched sound piccolo snare drums are known for. That's why they're called "piccolo." Like a piccolo flute, it is higher-pitched than the standard option.
Steel
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The "steel" in the name "steel piccolo snare drum" refers to the material used to make the drum shell, the circular body of the drum that the drumheads are mounted on. Piccolo snare drums, like standard snare drums, come in a variety of shells. This includes wood options, such as maple and birch, and metal options, such as steel and brass. The different shell types affect the sound of the drum; that's why it's valuable to try a variety of piccolo snare drums with different shell types until you find the one you like best.
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Uses
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Because of their very high-pitched snare sound, piccolo snare drums are often considered an "effect" snare drum, and are used as a secondary snare drum in a drum set. However, some drummers, such as ska drummers, do use steel piccolo snare drums as their main drum. Piccolo snare drums also see more use with drummers who perform with very large setups, especially drummers who do solo performances and clinics, where having a variety of drum sounds is desired. Piccolo snare drums, however, are hardly ever used in symphony or marching band settings.
Brands
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Many snare drum manufacturers make piccolo snare drums with steel drum shells. Some brands that do this include Pearl, Mapex, Pulse and Millennium. In addition, some manufacturers make models with different shell types, such as bronze and maple, and some custom drum manufacturers will make a steel piccolo snare drum with the specifications you provide. Talk to your local drum shop to inquire about steel piccolo snare drums.
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