Category Archives: Snare Drum

Snare drum

The Snare drum is regarded as the heart of the drumset, not only because of its central location in the setup but also in its importance in relation to the structure of the drummer's input.

Drum Head sizes fall generally in the range 10-15" with the majority of drums being 14", although 12 & particularly 13" drums are becoming increasingly prevalent as main snares. Depths fall generally in the ranges 3"-4" (piccolo), 5" -5.5" (standard), and 6" - 12" (deep) although custom drum builders can cut any depth if required. The snare almost always is played with a single ply head on the batter side, occasionally heavier hitters wishing to extend the lifespan of the head at the expense of tone, may use a head with a dot or similar appliqué.

The resonant head on the underside side of the drum (reso head or snare side head) is where the three main differences lie between the snare and any other drums in the set.

Firstly the snare has snare wire, a number of wire coils stretched across it, these vibrate and snap against the resonant head in response to the batter head being struck and give the snare its distinct sound;
secondly, the bearing edge has a shallow flat spot cut into it at two opposite points falling between tuning nodes, this is known as the snare bed. The tensionm is the snare wires is increaded, decreased and switched off & on using a Snare Strainer set comprising an adjustable 'throwoff' and passive 'butt'. Snare beds accommodate the snare wires or cords being held flat against the reso head, were it not to be there, the snare wires would sit slightly above the head and would give unwanted rattles and buzzes.
Finally, the resonant head itself is only 3-4/1000ths (3-4 mil) of an inch thick, this head is this thin to make it more responsive to the vibrations caused by hitting the drum's batter head.