Top 12 Snare Drums

A snare drum sits at the centre of a drum set, allowing a drummer to express his/her individuality as a musician. For a beginner, it acts as a foundational element for building up different drum patterns. A snare drum serves as the most versatile component of a drum set, offering the listener an exciting and energetic feeling. But when choosing a snare, there are many factors that a buyer should know. One can refer to the following guide to understand more about such essential elements before making the final purchase.

Snare drum size variants

There are relatively low restrictions on the availability of a depth-diameter combination of a snare drum. However, some models are more popular among drummers and have specific names. The most common snare drum among contemporary players is the standard one. Having a depth range of 4" to 8" and a diameter of 14", one can use it to play almost everything, varying from funk to metal. Piccolo snare drums have a very shallow range of depth. It can go as low as 3", giving the players a higher pitch. As a general rule, deeper snares will produce a fatter sound while the shallower ones have a sharp, crisp sound.

Choosing the right material

The material used in making a snare drum can make a huge difference in its overall sound quality. One can classify snare drum materials into three categories- wood, metal, and acrylic. Wood offers an excellent base response. Under wooden snare drums, numerous subtypes have different sound qualities and styles. These subtypes are birch, maple, mahogany, etc. Metal snare drums give a better high-end response and are a popular choice for rock/metal genres. Brass, aluminium, steel, and bronze are some of the typical metal snare drum materials. Acrylic is an unconventional snare drum material, ideal for loud cracks and dry and punchy backbeats.

Other features to consider

Snare wires also play a deciding role in the drum's purchase. The two characteristics that can affect the snare's sound include the number of snare wires and the wire's thickness. More number of tuning lugs can produce a better-quality and stable sound. One can even find some accessories available with snare drums. These generally include drum sticks, a tuning peg, gig bag, etc. A round over the inner edge also ensures increased shell resonance and optimum tonal clarity. On the other hand, a sharp edge produces a sensitive sound with greater frequencies.

Categories Simillar to Snare Drums includes Tom-Toms, Mallets and Tuning Keys & Wrenches

Tom-Toms

Mallets

Tuning Keys & Wrenches

Chimes

Glockenspiels

Marimbas

Xylophones

Cymbal Sets

Hi-Hat Cymbals

Cajons

Chinese Drums

Dholak