Using Sound Projectors on Snare Drums

Series Summary

The snare drum is an essential percussive component in any drum kit or marching band. The sharp snap produced by the reverberating snares stretched across the bottom skin, or head, is what gives the drum its unique sound. The snare drum has been used in military bands in Europe since the 15th and 16th century, and today it can be heard in virtually every genre of western music.

In this series of free video music lessons, expert drummer Alex Kasmirov demonstrates several tips for playing the snare drum. You’ll learn tips on choosing drum sticks, cross stick techniques, how to hit rim shots and how to build dynamics in drumming. You'll also learn tips on how to care for your snare drum and drum sticks, and how using a mirror can help improve your drumming.

Video Transcript

"Okay what we got here are 2 sound projectors otherwise known as scoops and what these do you place them on the underside of the drum and it would project the sound forward. Now I got a black and a white scoop here really this should match the color of your uniform pants. Either you can really kind of do it however you want put generally if you got a uniform with white pants you are going to want the scoop to match it because it is really going to go right in front of your lower body. So with the scoop it is going to project the sound but it is really going to project it forward so it may be a parade setting where the sound might want to be a little bit towards the side. Scoops might not be such a good choice. But what they are so going to do is there are going to make the sound of the snare drum a little bit more snarey or wet. So if you are using a scoop you are going to want to dry up the sound of the snare like we did before with a little tape or by tightening the snare strainer. "