Drums
& Equipment - Snare Drum
The snare drum or side drum is a tubular drum made of
wood or metal with skins, or heads, stretched over the top and bottom
openings, and with a set of snares (cords) stretched across the bottom
head.
A cluster of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic
cable, or gut cords is stretched across the bottom head. When the top
head is struck, causing a sudden increase in pressure within the
instrument, the snares vibrate against the bottom head. This produces a
short, distinctive, snap-like sound. The snares can be disengaged if
this effect is not wanted. Snare drums come in many different sizes as
well, which ultimately changes the way the drum will sound. Snare drums
that are shallow in size will give a higher "crack" sound, while the
deeper ones will give a heavier and thicker tone. The same is true of
drums with a smaller diameter. Many drummers opt to have more than one
on their drumset for a more dynamic setup.
The snare drums used in a pipe band are almost unique in having a second
set of snares on the bottom (internal) side of the top (batter) head
however some military side drums have this feature also.
The drum used in pipe and tabor traditionally has a single snare on the
outside of the head that is beaten.
The drum can be sounded by hitting it with a drumstick or any other form
of beater, including brushes, which produce a softer-sounding vibration
from the wires. When using a stick, the drummer may strike either the
head of the drum, the rim, or the shell. When the drummer strikes both
the rim and the head, this is known as a rimshot. Because of the
dramatic, sudden vibration on the shell of the drum, the rimshot is
generally louder and more distinct than other snare drum sounds.
Originally, snare drums were military instruments originating from
Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. They were commonly called a tabor
and were used with the fife in the Swiss military. Today, the snare drum
can be found in nearly every form of western music. Snare drums are used
by fife and drum corps, marching bands and drum and bugle corps to
provide a steady source of rhythm. The sound of a marching snare is a
classic military sound. The snare drum was incorporated into classical
music to provide color, or timbre, for march-like segments of music. It
is used in popular music styles like rock and roll and jazz to provide
an accented backbeat. In jazz styles, the snare drum is often used for "comping",
or accompanying, supporting, and interacting with another musician's
part. The snare drum (specifically, a caixa) is the driving force in
samba music: ghost notes are played continuously with accented strokes
outlining the rhythm. The snare is also used extensively in extreme
metal, to provide a "blast beat": a rapid alternation of snare and bass
drum beats.
Types
* Jazz: In jazz brushes are often used, so generally the drum will be
fitted with a thin to medium-weight coated (textured) head, with little
or no muffling. Most shell dimensions and materials are suitable for
jazz, with 14"x5.5" or 14"x6" wood or brass being the most common.
* Rock: Commonly 14" in diameter and 5.5" to 8" deep, often stainless
steel. Often the drum will have some muffling, and heavier non-coated
heads used.
* Metal: This genre favors wider and deeper drums, maybe a 14"x6" or
even as deep 8" (Joey Jordison's signature Pearl snare drum is of a 6.5"
depth, but a 13" diameter, thus making it sound high and heavy, referred
to as the "power piccolo"). Metal drummers often use materials other
than wood for higher volume and brighter timbre. Metal, in particular
brass, bronze, and aluminum, are popular. Some snares are made of
unusual materials like acrylic plastic of carbon fiber.
* Punk: In much early punk music the snare does not have a big voice;
often it's mixed to be only as loud as the hi-hats. This may be due to
punk's non-conventional standard of quality for the drummers'
performance, recording quality and drum tuning. Commonly the dimensions
are the same to those of rock: 14" x 5.5-6". Heads and tuning may vary
wildly according to the drummer.
* Funk: Funk snare drum work is very accented and syncopated, so in
order for this to stand out, a higher snare sound is required. 13"
diameters are common in funk, though 14" is equally popular
(funk-drumming legend Dennis Chambers' signature Pearl snare drum's
diameter is a 14"). The depth of snare drums used in funk can vary
greatly. Some drummers, for example Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The
Roots, use a thin 14" x 3.5" piccolo snare for a dry pop. Others, such
as the aforementioned Dennis Chambers, opt for a 14" x 6.5" snare with
tighter tuned heads in order to get a sound with more body but still a
lot of crack.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snare_drum
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