The Origin of the Snare Drum as a Percussion Instrument

Although it lacks a specific origin, the snare drum first appeared in the early 16th century in classical orchestral music.
Percussion instruments were the first to emerge but the last to develop, and even today, drums continue to evolve in their sound and timbre, leading to a wide variety of options.

Students starting in the world of percussion begin their journey with the study of the snare drum, which is the cornerstone of classical percussion and modern drum sets. The snare drum serves as the foundation for learning all percussion instruments that require drumsticks, such as timbales, marimbas, and xylophones. Studying rudiments on the snare drum helps develop natural body posture and the grip needed to hold drumsticks, alongside the technique and hand, wrist, and finger movements.

Many exercises focus on striking the drum exactly at the center to achieve a uniform resonance of the drumhead. Many drummers recommend attaching a small piece of tape as a target and aiming to hit the same spot consistently. However, it is also possible to strike the snare drumhead in different areas to experiment with the tones produced when moving closer to or further from the center.

Parts of the Snare Drum

• The shell
• The drumheads
• The snare wires
• The hoops
• The tension rods

The Shell

The shell is a cylinder of variable depth. It can be made of wood, metal, acrylic, or other materials. Leading brands and small artisans often create experimental models and prototypes to test the type of sound produced by using alternative materials. Below you can even see video where a drum set is played with shells made of ice!

Generally, each type of wood gives a different tone, with maple and birch being the most commonly used. The most commonly used metals include brass, bronze, and steel.
The depth and diameter of the shell affect the instrument’s sound; generally speaking, a deeper snare drum can produce lower tunings, while a thinner drum will yield higher-pitched notes and a drier sound with fewer overtones. Shells ranging from 5 to 8 inches in depth are typically used in rock and metal music, while shallower shells are more commonly used in funk and jazz. As always, it comes down to personal taste, so everyone is free to experiment as they see fit.

The Drumheads

On either side of the shell are two membranes called drumheads, made of synthetic material attached to a thin metal hoop. The tension of the drumheads is adjusted using screws that act independently on each point of the surface. A special key is used to tighten these screws.

In the past, drumheads were made from animal hide, which was subject to changes in tension due to humidity and temperature and had to be tuned or replaced regularly. In contrast, synthetic drumheads maintain stable tuning and provide better sound control.

They can be transparent or coated; the latter features a thin rough layer on the surface that adds a distinctive tone to the sound.

Over time, drumheads can wear out or break and can be replaced with new ones.

The Snare Wires

Snare wires consist of a series of metal wires that can be tightened and brought close to or away from the resonant drumhead using a mechanical mechanism. The snare wires can be made from different types of metal, depending on the desired sound. This component gives the drum its characteristic metallic and crisp sound, distinguishing a snare drum from a tom or a timpani in a drum set.

The Hoops

The hoops are the metal parts that rest on the drumheads and secure them to the drum shell.

The Tension Rods

Tension rods are the screws that secure the hoops to the shell. Their tension determines the tuning and pitch of the drum. They are screwed into blocks made of plastic (on budget drums) or metal, attached to the drum shell.

Which Snare Drum You Should Buy and How Much It Costs

Choosing a snare drum can be overwhelming, given the hundreds of options. it’s essential to clarify your needs as a drummer: material, type of sound, and music genre, as well as your budget, are the main variables to consider.

For these reasons, the prices of snare drum can vary greatly, ranging from 100 euros to 2000 euros.