Snare Drum - A Vital Component of Drum Set

Snare drum, also known as the side drum, is a tubularhave this feature as well.
drum. It is made out of wood or metal with skins andHere are a few different types:
heads stretched over the top and bottom openings. It1. Old Marching Snare or the (Field Drum): This is the
has a set of snares or the cords stretched over thediagonally hung snare seen in war reenactments. The
bottom head. The bottom drumhead is called theheads are made of animal skin, and a rope strung
resonance or snare head, as it provides resonanceback and forth between eyelets held on to each rim.
against the top drumhead.2. New Marching Snare: This is similar to any other
How does such a drum work? When the top head istype, but the difference is in the execution. They are
struck with a stick or any other form of beater,known for their crispness and loudness. They are
including brushes or rutes, there is a sudden increase ingenerally mounted on the front of body of a person
pressure within the instrument which causes thelike a table on a metal shoulder harness that extends
snares to vibrate against the bottom head anddown the chest. The stick used on these drums is also
produces a short, distinctive, snap-like sound. Thisthicker and beefier.
effect can also be disengaged whenever it is not3. Metal snare: Metal snares are what are commonly
needed.seen in drum set. They have a piercing and loud tone,
Originally they were used as military instruments. Theywhich are suitable for pop music. The head is also
originated in Europe in the 15th century and 16thsynthetic or imitation animal skin like the other kind of
century where it emerged as a military instrument.drum snares.
Today this combination of its sound can still be found in4. Piccolo Snare: They are smaller ones. They have a
modern European folk music. They were commonlyhigher more piercing sound than the Metal snare. They
called tabor and were used in marching bands in thealso have a loud tone, which is suitable for pop music.
Swiss military. Today, these drums are commonlyIts size is between 10 and 13 inches in diameter and
used in contemporary western music.around 3 inches deep. The construction is similar to
These drums come in many different sizes, whichthat of a metal snare.
ultimately changes the sound that the drum produces. It5. Wood Snare: this type has a clearer and the most
is used in a pipe band, a musical ensemble consistingdistinctive tone. Their sounds are well associated with
of pipers and drummers are unique which comes withjazz, blues and classical music settings. They produce
a second set of snares on the bottom (internal) side ofa more softer and subtle sound. Even the wood used
the top (batter) head. Some of the military side drumsin making these types is soft wood.