The Snare Drum
A Brief HistoryThe snare drum began as a top- and bottom-headed, rope-tuned drum. The top-head typically being made with calf or goatskin while the bottom head was made of cats' guts, thus why it is still called the guts on today's marching snare drum. The tension and sound of these early snare drums were altered by tightening strings and adding knots. By the early 20th century, advancements in metalworking made it possible to create separate tension rods, enabling much greater control over the sound of the drum. Another advancement in technology allowed for the invention of weather resistant plastic drumheads, which replaced the organic heads of their ancestors.
Fast forward to 1987 were the inventions of Kevlar lead to the creation of the standard high tension, 14 inch contemporary marching snare drum (as seen on the left). This new Kevlar head could withstand the extreme tension required to create the high pitch desired by modern drumline ensembles. |
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Parts of the Snare
Heads:
* The Head of the drum is made of Kevlar which can withstand the extreme tensioning required to create the high pitch desired by modern drumlines
* Extreme tension from the Kevlar head placed to much pressure on the wooden drum shell and they began to crack, bend, or warp, leading drum manufacturers to design high tension or free floating drums
* Extreme tension from the Kevlar head placed to much pressure on the wooden drum shell and they began to crack, bend, or warp, leading drum manufacturers to design high tension or free floating drums
Shell:
* The upper sections of snare drum shells are made of aluminum
* The lower section (and bulk) of the shell is wood, typically birch or maple
* The aluminum section can accommodate the Kevlar tensioning, and the wood shell maintains the drums warmth and desired tonal character
* The lower section (and bulk) of the shell is wood, typically birch or maple
* The aluminum section can accommodate the Kevlar tensioning, and the wood shell maintains the drums warmth and desired tonal character
Tension Rods:
* The 12 tension rods and lugs are attached to the aluminum shell, allowing far fewer bolts to be screwed into the wood shell
* The drums volume and tone are significantly increased because the additional holes and metal components hinder the vibration of the drum
* The drums volume and tone are significantly increased because the additional holes and metal components hinder the vibration of the drum
Snare Wire (Guts):
* Made of synthetic cords coated for maximum clarity and weather resistance
* A dial on the snare-mounting bracket can tension them collectively, or they can be individually adjusted with a screwdriver
* A dial on the snare-mounting bracket can tension them collectively, or they can be individually adjusted with a screwdriver