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Watch the videos on this page and go through the steps to review how to get started on your snare drum kit. Hopefully I've had a chance to show each of you how to take it out, set it up and hold your drum sticks. Now, make sure to practice all of the things below every day and watch the videos if you need any help. Send me a message on Google Classroom or an email if you're having trouble!
- Snare Drum overview
The snare drum has several parts that I want you to be able to identify. Watch the video to gain a better understanding of how the snare drum works and the names of the different parts of the instrument.
Make sure you can identify:
Make sure you can identify:
The drum head
The hoop
The shell
The snare lever
The snare wires (snares)
A drum key
This video will show you how to open your trombone case & the different sections of you instrument
Snare drum parts labeled
2. Setting up your drum stand
2. Setting up your drum stand
Now that you're familiar with the drum, let's make sure you can put the drum stand together correctly. Watch the video if you don't now how to put it together.
Follow these steps:
Loosen the screw on the base of the stand and separate the legs. When you have them in place, tighten the screw.
Loosen the screw on the top of the base and insert the metal tube from the top section. Tighten the screw, but you'll need to adjust this later to set it to the correct height.
Loosen the big screw on the top section and adjust the "claw" so it faces up. Tighten when it's in the upright position.
Open up the "claw" and place your drum on top. Close the "claw" so that it grips the bottom of the drum. Spin the screw at the bottom of the claw to close it or open it.
This video will show you how to set up your snare drum stand correctly.
3. Playing positions
3. Playing positions
Your drum should be all set up and ready to play now. But before we play it, let's go over the correct playing position. Watch the video to review how to position your body, place your arms and hold your drum sticks when playing the snare drum.
A few tips:
A few tips:
Make sure the top of the drum is flat, not tilted
The top of the drum should be just below your waist (use the "thumbs up" belly button trick)
The snare drum lever should face toward you
Stand tall with your back straight & feet comfortably apart
Your sticks should make a "v" shape over the drum
Holding the drum sticks:
Holding the drum sticks:
Pinch the drum stick between your thumb and your index finger knuckle. Your thumb should be on the flag on your stick.
Make sure the drum stick can move up and down like a seesaw, pivoting on the spot between your thumb & index finger
Your other fingers should wrap loosely around the base of the drum sticks
When playing, keep your palms facing down and your knuckles facing up.
Watch this video to learn how to make higher and lower "buzz" sounds on your mouthpiece
Correct drum stick holding position
4. Playing the snare drum
4. Playing the snare drum
Now you're ready to play your drum and make your first sounds. Watch the video to review, and make sure to follow the steps below:
A few tips:
A few tips:
Practice holding your sticks correctly. "Air drum" to make sure that your drum stick is pivoting and you're not holding it tightly.
Most of the motion should be in your wrist, not in your arms.
Always let the drum stick rebound, or, bounce back to its original position
Keep your grip relaxed, while keeping a firm fulcrum between your thumb and index finger
Work on both hands equally - spend just as much time on you left hand as your right. You will need to make it sound as even as possible.
Watch this video & follow along to play your first sounds on the snare drum
Work on these things every day this week. Try to spend around 15 minutes each day holding your drum sticks, "air drumming" to make sure you have a correct grip, and then playing your drum as the video instructed. Work on keeping your grip relaxed so that the drum resonates and makes a nice, clear sound. Next week, we'll start to play read music and play different rhythms!
Work on these things every day this week. Try to spend around 15 minutes each day holding your drum sticks, "air drumming" to make sure you have a correct grip, and then playing your drum as the video instructed. Work on keeping your grip relaxed so that the drum resonates and makes a nice, clear sound. Next week, we'll start to play read music and play different rhythms!
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